bodybuilding

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The sport or activity of lifting weights to make the muscles bigger and more defined.

   Grammar: Uncountable; used with a singular verb: 'Bodybuilding is popular.'

   Patterns

   • do bodybuilding
   • take up bodybuilding
   • bodybuilding competition

   Bodybuilding has become a popular fitness activity worldwide.

   He trains for bodybuilding every morning before work.

   She writes a blog about bodybuilding and nutrition.

2. 2noununcountablefigurative

   The process of making something stronger or more substantial, especially an organization or structure.

   Grammar: Used figuratively; often followed by 'of': 'the bodybuilding of the economy'.

   Patterns

   • bodybuilding of something

   The bodybuilding of the company's finances took several years.

   Critics described the plan as the bodybuilding of an already powerful department.

Common combinations

competitive bodybuilding

Competitive bodybuilding requires strict diet and training.

natural bodybuilding

Natural bodybuilding avoids the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

bodybuilding supplement

He spends a lot on bodybuilding supplements.

bodybuilding show

She is preparing for her first bodybuilding show.

Synonyms and how they differ

weight training

Weight training is broader; bodybuilding is a specific goal of that training.

muscle building

Muscle building focuses on gaining muscle; bodybuilding also includes shaping and competing.

Word family

bodybuilder noun

A person who does bodybuilding.

bodybuild verb

To train to build muscle.

Commonly confused: bodybuilding or body building?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “bodybuilding”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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