noun
bodybuilding
BOD-ee-bil-ding
Bodybuilding (noun) means a sport in which competitors are judged on the look and development of their muscles. Example: “She took up bodybuilding at nineteen and now competes in regional shows.”
noun
1
A sport in which competitors are judged on the look and development of their muscles.
"She took up bodybuilding at nineteen and now competes in regional shows."
"Bodybuilding is as much about posing and presentation as it is about lifting weights."
"He spends most of his evenings at the gym, training for a bodybuilding contest."
How to use bodybuilding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe sport of building up and showing off your muscles.
When to use it
It is a neutral, everyday word and is uncountable, so it takes no plural.
Memory tip
Say bodybuilding for the sport and bodybuilder for the person who does it.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
competitive bodybuilding
a bodybuilding contest
bodybuilding competition
take up bodybuilding
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She took up _____ at nineteen and now competes in regional shows.
Etymology
Bodybuilding is a compound of the English words body and building.
Synonyms
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musclebuilding
Rhymes for bodybuilding
See all rhymes for bodybuilding →Frequently asked questions
What is bodybuilding?
Bodybuilding is a sport in which competitors are judged on how their muscles look and how well developed they are. Training and diet are aimed at building and shaping muscle.
Is bodybuilding one word or two?
It is normally written as one word, bodybuilding. The hyphenated form body-building is listed as an alternative.
Is bodybuilding the same as weightlifting?
No. Bodybuilding is judged on the appearance of the muscles, while weightlifting as a sport is about how much weight a person can lift.
What is the meaning of bodybuilding?
"bodybuilding" (noun) means a sport in which competitors are judged on the look and development of their muscles.
