body building: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Technical in sport/health contexts; Informal in general use.
Quick answer
What does “body building” mean?
The practice of developing the muscles of the body through strenuous physical exercise, especially weightlifting, often for competitive purposes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The practice of developing the muscles of the body through strenuous physical exercise, especially weightlifting, often for competitive purposes.
The process, hobby, or sport of intentionally increasing one's muscle mass and definition; can also metaphorically refer to any systematic process of building up strength or structure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally common in both varieties. Spelling is consistently one word (bodybuilding).
Connotations
Primarily associated with the sport and its subculture. In both varieties, can have neutral/positive connotations (dedication, fitness) or slightly negative ones (vanity, steroid use), depending on context.
Frequency
High frequency in sports, fitness, and health contexts; medium frequency in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “body building” in a Sentence
be/get into bodybuildingtake up bodybuildingcompete in bodybuildingtrain for bodybuildinggive up bodybuildingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body building” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's been bodybuilding for over a decade.
- She took up bodybuilding after university.
American English
- He started bodybuilding in his garage.
- She's seriously bodybuilding for the next competition.
adjective
British English
- He follows a strict bodybuilding diet.
- The bodybuilding scene in the UK is growing.
American English
- She bought bodybuilding supplements online.
- He reads all the major bodybuilding magazines.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the context of the fitness industry, supplement sales, and gym franchises.
Academic
In sports science, kinesiology, or sociology papers studying subcultures.
Everyday
Talking about hobbies, fitness goals, or television shows.
Technical
Precise discussion of training methodologies, nutrition, and competition rules.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “body building”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “body building”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body building”
- Incorrect hyphenation: 'body-building' (dated). Incorrect spacing: 'body building' (as two words is less common for the noun). Confusing with general 'fitness' or 'working out'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Working out' is a broad term for exercise. 'Bodybuilding' specifically aims to maximise muscle size and definition, often for competition.
Bodybuilding focuses on muscular appearance, symmetry, and definition. Powerlifting focuses on maximal strength in three specific lifts (squat, bench press, deadlift).
The standard modern spelling is as one word: 'bodybuilding'. 'Body-building' with a hyphen is dated, and 'body building' as two words is less common for the noun.
Yes, informally (e.g., 'He's been bodybuilding for years'), though 'train' or 'lift weights' is often more natural in general conversation.
The practice of developing the muscles of the body through strenuous physical exercise, especially weightlifting, often for competitive purposes.
Body building is usually formal/technical in sport/health contexts; informal in general use. in register.
Body building: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒd.iˌbɪl.dɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑː.diˌbɪl.dɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's built like a bodybuilder (metaphorical for being very muscular).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of BUILDING your BODY up, like constructing a muscular physique.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A STRUCTURE THAT CAN BE BUILT/SCULPTED.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common collocation with 'bodybuilding'?