# physical education

CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/physical-education
Updated: 2026-07-28

## Definition

the subject in school where you do sports and exercise to stay healthy. It is often called PE for short.

For teachers: instruction in physical exercise and games, especially in schools. Often referred to by the initialism PE.

## Examples

- Students change into their sports clothes for physical education.
- The school curriculum includes physical education twice a week to ensure that teenagers remain active and healthy during the term.
- Modern physical education aims to foster a lifelong commitment to fitness while teaching the collaborative skills necessary for team sports and social interaction.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I have a physical education today" but "I have physical education today" — Like most school subjects, it is uncountable and does not take the indefinite article 'a'.

## Usage notes

- Commonly abbreviated to 'PE' in both spoken and written English.

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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.