# aerobic

/ɛˈɹoʊbɪk/ (US) · /eəɹˈəʊbɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aerobic
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. exercise

adjective · CEFR B2

describes exercise that strengthens your heart and lungs by making you breathe more deeply.

For teachers: relating to or denoting exercise that improves the efficiency of the body's cardiovascular system in absorbing and transporting oxygen.

- Swimming and cycling are great aerobic exercises for improving your fitness.
- The trainer recommended a consistent aerobic routine to enhance the athlete's endurance before the marathon season began.

### 2. biology

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describes a living thing that can only live or grow when oxygen is present.

For teachers: requiring free oxygen for life or survival; occurring only in the presence of oxygen.

- Some bacteria are aerobic and need air to grow in the lab.
- The researchers identified several aerobic organisms in the upper layers of the soil where oxygen levels were highest.

### 3. relating to aerobics classes

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to 'aerobics', which is a type of energetic physical class with music.

For teachers: pertaining to the system of energetic physical exercises often performed in a group setting to music.

- She bought new aerobic shoes for her dance fitness class on Tuesdays.
- The community centre offers various aerobic sessions designed to accommodate different age groups and fitness levels.

## Examples

- Running is a great aerobic exercise for your heart.
- To improve your cardiovascular health, doctors recommend at least thirty minutes of aerobic activity five days a week.
- While sprinting relies on anaerobic pathways for quick bursts of power, long-distance cycling is primarily aerobic, requiring a steady supply of oxygen to sustain muscle performance over several hours.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.