bodybuilding: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral (can be formal in sports science, informal in everyday contexts)
Quick answer
What does “bodybuilding” mean?
The sport or activity of developing and strengthening muscles through weight training, diet, and other exercise routines.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The sport or activity of developing and strengthening muscles through weight training, diet, and other exercise routines.
The practice of modifying one's physique for aesthetic, athletic, or health reasons through systematic resistance training. It can also refer to the associated subculture, industry (supplements, competitions), and the process of constructing or strengthening a collective body, such as a team or organization (metaphorical).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant orthographic or semantic differences. The term is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Generally neutral. May carry connotations of dedication, discipline, or, in some contexts, vanity and steroid use.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “bodybuilding” in a Sentence
[verb] + bodybuilding: take up bodybuilding, do bodybuilding, be into bodybuilding, compete in bodybuilding[adjective] + bodybuilding: professional/amateur bodybuilding, intense bodybuildingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bodybuilding” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To bodybuild is a demanding pursuit.
- He has been bodybuilding for years.
American English
- To bodybuild requires strict discipline.
- She started bodybuilding in college.
adverb
British English
- [Derived adverb is rare. 'Bodybuilding-wise, he's an expert.']
American English
- [Derived adverb is rare. 'Diet-wise, it's a bodybuilding approach.']
adjective
British English
- He follows a strict bodybuilding regimen.
- It's a popular bodybuilding supplement.
American English
- She won a bodybuilding trophy.
- He reads all the bodybuilding magazines.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the fitness industry sector, e.g., 'The bodybuilding supplement market is growing.'
Academic
Used in sports science, physiology, and sociology papers studying exercise, nutrition, and subcultures.
Everyday
Common in discussions about fitness, gyms, hobbies, and health, e.g., 'He's really into bodybuilding.'
Technical
Specific to exercise physiology, describing protocols for hypertrophy (muscle growth).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bodybuilding”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bodybuilding”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bodybuilding”
- Misspelling as 'body building' (open compound) - the standard is a single, solid or hyphenated compound (bodybuilding/body-building). Using it as a verb directly (e.g., 'I bodybuild') is less common; 'I do bodybuilding' or 'I am a bodybuilder' is preferred.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Going to the gym is a general activity. Bodybuilding is a specific goal-oriented pursuit within the gym focused on maximizing muscle size, symmetry, and definition.
No. 'Natural bodybuilding' is a category that prohibits performance-enhancing drugs. Many people practice bodybuilding for health and aesthetics without steroids.
Bodybuilding primarily focuses on the aesthetic appearance of the muscles (size, symmetry, definition). Powerlifting focuses on maximizing strength in three specific lifts (squat, bench press, deadlift), with less emphasis on appearance.
Absolutely. Women's bodybuilding is a well-established category in competitions. The training principles are similar, though goals often differ regarding desired muscle size and distribution.
The sport or activity of developing and strengthening muscles through weight training, diet, and other exercise routines.
Bodybuilding is usually neutral (can be formal in sports science, informal in everyday contexts) in register.
Bodybuilding: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdiˌbɪldɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdiˌbɪldɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not directly applicable as an idiom, but related phrases: 'to build one's body', 'to sculpt one's physique']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it literally: BUILDING a BODY, specifically building its muscles.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A STRUCTURE THAT CAN BE BUILT/SCULPTED.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most precise synonym for 'bodybuilding' in a sports science context?