chi

1 of 2

noun (1)

: the 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet see Alphabet Table

chi

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or ch'i or less commonly qi
often capitalized
: vital energy that is held to animate the body internally and is of central importance in some Eastern systems of medical treatment (such as acupuncture) and of exercise or self-defense (such as tai chi)

Examples of chi in a Sentence

Noun (2) the concept of chi is of central importance in acupuncture
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Tai Chi: Grounding Practices in Unfamiliar Places Tai chi is known for its slow, meditative movements that promote mindfulness, balance and flexibility. Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024 Tai chi combines deep breathing with gentle movement. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2024 Chief among its design is its challenging AI that seems impervious to previous game exploits like charging your chi from a safe distance and cheesing damage by unleashing raw supers. Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2024 Tai chi is a traditional Chinese exercise based on martial arts, slow movements, and deep breaths. Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for chi 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Greek chei, chi

Noun (2)

Chinese (Beijing) , literally, air, breath

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chi was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near chi

Cite this Entry

“Chi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chi. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

chi

noun
ˈkī
: the 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet
Χ or χ
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!