kinesiology

noun

ki·​ne·​si·​ol·​o·​gy kə-ˌnē-sē-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce kinesiology (audio)
kī-,
-zē- How to pronounce kinesiology (audio)
: the study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement
kinesiologist noun

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Kinesiologists study the acquisition of motor skills, the mechanical aspects of movement, and the body's responses to physical activity. A kinesiologist may work in a public-school fitness program, design exercise programs for people with and without disabilities, or work with patients recovering from disease, accidents, and surgery. As a field of research, kinesiology focuses particularly on the mechanics of muscular activity.

Examples of kinesiology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Skala, who is attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison and plans to study kinesiology, says things worked out in the end. Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025 Phan studied kinesiology at Arizona State University and at first trained to be a chiropractor. Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025 In February, the Baltimore native was awarded the Western Golf Association’s Chick Evans Scholarship, which will cover the cost of tuition and housing for four years at the University of Maryland where Flowers plans to major in kinesiology. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 29 May 2025 The Escondido resident earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from San Diego State University in 2012. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kinesiology

Word History

Etymology

Greek kinēsis

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kinesiology was in 1894

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Cite this Entry

“Kinesiology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kinesiology. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

kinesiology

noun
ki·​ne·​si·​ol·​o·​gy kə-ˌnē-sē-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce kinesiology (audio) kī- How to pronounce kinesiology (audio)
-zē-
plural kinesiologies
: the study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement
kinesiologic adjective
or kinesiological
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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