tai chi

noun

ˈtī-ˈchē How to pronounce tai chi (audio) ˈtī-ˈjē How to pronounce tai chi (audio)
variants or less commonly t'ai chi or tai chi chuan or t'ai chi ch'uan
ˈtī-ˈchē-chü-ˈän, 
ˈtī-ˈjē- How to pronounce tai chi (audio)
, often Tai Chi
: an ancient Chinese discipline of meditative movements practiced as a system of exercises

Examples of tai chi in a Sentence

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.
Why tai chi is so accessible Tai chi requires little space and no equipment. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Aug. 2026 But by the one-year follow-up, the tai chi group had caught up and showed similar results. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Ng began learning tai chi in 1989 from Master Gene Chen, a disciple of Grandmaster Feng ZhiQiang. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 13 July 2026 Those who are open to it can follow their sessions with tai chi to focus on breathing and learn how to move with precision and purpose. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tai chi

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) tàijíquán, from tàijí the Absolute in Chinese cosmology + quán fist, boxing

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tai chi was in 1954

Browse Nearby Words

taiaha
tai chi
Tai-Chinese
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tai chi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tai%20chi. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tai chi

noun
ˈtī-ˈjē How to pronounce tai chi (audio)
-ˈchē
often capitalized T&C
: an ancient Chinese system of movements performed for meditation or exercise

Medical Definition

tai chi

noun
variants also t'ai chi
ˈtī-ˈjē, -ˈchē How to pronounce tai chi (audio)
or tai chi chuan or t'ai chi ch'uan
-chü-ˈän
often capitalized T&C
: an ancient Chinese discipline involving a continuous series of controlled usually slow movements designed to improve physical and mental well-being

More from Merriam-Webster on tai chi

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tai chi

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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