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physical education

physical education

14 2.0
A school subject that teaches exercise and games to keep the body healthy
  • noun
  • /ˈfɪzɪkəl ˌɛdʒʊˈkeɪʃən/
translation icon : educación física
  • The subjects for this study were 308 current K-12 physical education teachers from two Midwestern states.
  • physical education class
  • physical education teacher
  • physical education curriculum

We want more former athletes as physical education instructors.

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Examples

  • Tell me the good things about wearing a heart rate monitor during your physical education class.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Did they have physical education in the last school you went to?

  • The private school children all had physical education at the time of the study.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Tell me the bad things about wearing a heart rate monitor during your physical education class.

    Academic text (2011)
  • List several reasons why you chose to become an elementary physical education teacher.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The findings of this study may have important implications for physical education teachers.

    Academic text (2011)
  • We don't teach physical education in schools anymore.

  • We want more former athletes as physical education instructors.

  • In the U.S., only one state requires mandatory physical education for grades K-12.

  • In high school, I enjoyed physical education classes where we played various sports.

How Active

physical education
14 2.0
health class
7 1.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

physical + education

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'physical' (relating to the body) + 'education' (formal learning), so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer it refers to instruction/training about the body and fitness. This compound follows common cross-linguistic patterns (e.g., Spanish 'educación física', French 'éducation physique') and therefore is immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

Physical education comes from the simple idea of 'teaching the body'—physical (the body) plus education (teaching). Imagine a teacher showing sports and exercises so students learn to move, stay fit and look after their bodies, so it means 'a school subject about sports and fitness'.