verb
Uncommon
PB
PB (verb) means to set a new personal best, especially in sport or fitness. Example: “She PB'd in the 10k, shaving forty seconds off her old time.”
verb
1
To set a new personal best, especially in sport or fitness.
"I'm only 20. Dwain Chambers is 36 now, Kim Collins is 38 and still PBing. These guys have long careers so hopefully I can push on and hope for something similar."
— Sean Ingle, Commonwealth Games 2014: Adam Gemili keeps mind on track after silver (2014)
"I PBed my go-to twisting descent not once but twice, all the while feeling totally in control, each run thrillingly rapid but never reckless."
— James Spender, Argonaut Road Bike review (2019)
"Speaking after yesterday's race, Ellie, from Walsall, said: 'I would have loved to get the gold but you can't have everything. ¶ 'I've been PBing every time I swim so I can't ask for any more.'"
— Metrowebukmetro, Ellie Simmonds' father: My girl has made the world stop and think (2012)
"She PB'd in the 10k, shaving forty seconds off her old time."
"He's been trying to PB on his bench press all month."
How to use PB
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGym and running slang for beating your own previous best result.
When to use it
Informal, mostly spoken/social media; short for "personal best".
Common pairings
PB attempt
smash a PB
new PB
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- PBs
- Past tense
- PBed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____'d in the 10k, shaving forty seconds off her old time.
Frequently asked questions
What does “PB” mean?
The word “PB” means to set a new personal best, especially in sport or fitness. In plain terms, gym and running slang for beating your own previous best result.
How do you use “PB” in a sentence?
Here is “PB” used in a sentence: “She PB'd in the 10k, shaving forty seconds off her old time.”
What part of speech is “PB”?
“PB” is a verb.
Is “PB” a common word?
“PB” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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