: the form or structure of a person's body : bodily makeup

Examples of physique in a Sentence

she had a well-toned physique
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Vance recently placed third in the 2024 NPC Battle of Texas in the women’s physique division. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025 The original Captain American, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), was defined as an relentlessly motivated and deeply moral man whose slender physique stopped him from fighting for justice. Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025 At the beach, Hemsworth, 41, showed off his muscular physique in gray swim trunks and draped an animal print towel across his shoulders. Charna Flam, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025 El-Masry had been a handsome man, having kept a full head of hair and a trim physique. Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for physique

Word History

Etymology

French, from physique physical, bodily, from Latin physicus of nature, from Greek physikos

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of physique was in 1804

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Physique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physique. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

: the build of a person's body

Medical Definition

: the form or structure of a person's body : bodily makeup
a muscular physique

More from Merriam-Webster on physique

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