phys·i·cal
ˈfi-zi-kəl 
1
a
: of or relating to natural science
b(1)
: of or relating to physics
(2)
: characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics
2
a
: having material existence : perceptible especially through the senses and subject to the laws of nature
everything physical is measurable by weight, motion, and resistance—
Thomas De Quincey
Thomas De Quincey
b
: of or relating to material things
3
a
: of or relating to the body
physical abuse
c
: characterized by especially rugged and forceful physical activity : rough
a physical hockey game
a physical player
Synonyms
Examples of physical in a Sentence
Adjective
The program is designed to address both physical and emotional health.
No physical contact with other players is allowed in the game.
He has an unusual physical appearance.
There was no physical evidence of the crime.
Their relationship was purely physical.
Recent Examples on the WebJudith Graham, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
All physical configurations of the album were sold exclusively through Beyoncé’s official webstore, while the digital download and streaming editions were widely available.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2024
Sedaris had a specific vision for Jerri’s appearance and physical demeanor, starting with her face — overbite, furrowed brows, crossed eyes.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Lyrics matter with Steve Sondheim, and all of the physical business has to be syncopated with your lyrics.
—Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Next up for the Huskies will be what should be a much more physical test against 7-foot-4, 300-pound Zach Edey and Purdue in Monday's national championship game.
—CBS News, 6 Apr. 2024
Frankel, a financial planner, is demanding a jury trial and seeks restitution for medical expenses, lost earnings, legal expenses and physical and emotional pain.
—Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
The countersuit alleged that Pitt attempted to get physical with one of their kids after the child came to Jolie’s defense.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, outdoor play is essential to a child’s cognitive, social and emotional development and can improve their sleep and physical and mental health.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
Michael D. Shear Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The significance of the physical is uninteresting and even distracting.
—Debra Edwards, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024
On February 28, Biden made a surprise visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for his annual physical.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 2 Mar. 2024
Presidents are not required by law to undergo a physical or cognitive examination, though publicizing the results of annual physicals became routine practice under former President Richard Nixon.
—Forbes Daily, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Turner’s 2022 physical showed an aortic aneurysm, which necessitated a surgery — though Turner held out for a year.
—Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024
President Biden got his latest physical on Wednesday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
—Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 28 Feb. 2024
Maye plans to only do interviews and physicals with teams in Indianapolis.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Feb. 2024
After Paxton’s physical, the two sides went back to work, restructuring the contract to assuage some of the Dodgers’ concerns about the left-hander’s injury history.
—Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 10 Feb. 2024
Adjective
When a physician changed her mom’s or dad’s plan of care, the siblings had to procure new medications, supplies and medical equipment, and arrange new rounds of occupational, physical and speech therapy.
—Judith Graham, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
All physical configurations of the album were sold exclusively through Beyoncé’s official webstore, while the digital download and streaming editions were widely available.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2024
Sedaris had a specific vision for Jerri’s appearance and physical demeanor, starting with her face — overbite, furrowed brows, crossed eyes.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Lyrics matter with Steve Sondheim, and all of the physical business has to be syncopated with your lyrics.
—Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Next up for the Huskies will be what should be a much more physical test against 7-foot-4, 300-pound Zach Edey and Purdue in Monday's national championship game.
—CBS News, 6 Apr. 2024
Frankel, a financial planner, is demanding a jury trial and seeks restitution for medical expenses, lost earnings, legal expenses and physical and emotional pain.
—Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
The countersuit alleged that Pitt attempted to get physical with one of their kids after the child came to Jolie’s defense.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, outdoor play is essential to a child’s cognitive, social and emotional development and can improve their sleep and physical and mental health.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
Noun
The White House directed questions about Mr. Biden’s health to his doctor’s summary of the president’s physical in February, which concluded that Mr. Biden was fit for duty.
—Michael D. Shear Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The significance of the physical is uninteresting and even distracting.
—Debra Edwards, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024
On February 28, Biden made a surprise visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for his annual physical.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 2 Mar. 2024
Presidents are not required by law to undergo a physical or cognitive examination, though publicizing the results of annual physicals became routine practice under former President Richard Nixon.
—Forbes Daily, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Turner’s 2022 physical showed an aortic aneurysm, which necessitated a surgery — though Turner held out for a year.
—Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024
President Biden got his latest physical on Wednesday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
—Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 28 Feb. 2024
Maye plans to only do interviews and physicals with teams in Indianapolis.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Feb. 2024
After Paxton’s physical, the two sides went back to work, restructuring the contract to assuage some of the Dodgers’ concerns about the left-hander’s injury history.
—Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 10 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'physical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near physical
Cite this Entry
“Physical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physical. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
physical
1 of 2 adjective
phys·i·cal
ˈfiz-i-kəl
1
: having material existence : perceptible especially through the senses and subject to the laws of nature
2
a
: of or relating to physics
b
: characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics
3
: of or relating to the body
physical
2 of 2 nounLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share