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
Noun
Tai chi and paper cranes Feb. 14 is a day of service for Stoneman, with kids engaging in an activity of their choice. USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024 My pulse is too fast and my tongue is purple, a sign of stagnated chi and long-term low mood. Chloe Bottero, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2024 Not just any old dog food will do: Your little chi needs something that's specifically tailored to their small size and delicate constitution. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 16 Oct. 2022 Once again, ephemeral discoveries (in this case, a young professor’s find of a Nigerian chi wara mask in an antiques store) lead to gorgeous fractals of thought on culture, race and history, revealing inner currents of anger, memory and hope. Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2023 All spaces need living energy, says feng shui expert Susan Chan, and feng shui plants are an easy, natural way to bring in vibrant chi, or vital energy. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 6 Sep. 2022 Those of us who love big air love it for one reason: There is a moment in every great jump when gravity and rationality clearly diverge — a defying moment when your inner chi realizes it's been off the ground longer than Mother Earth would normally allow. Star Tribune, 5 Dec. 2020 Late Monday, the infant took her final breath, the chi ... Alexis Stevens, ajc, 21 June 2023 Actress Taylor Polidore, who plays Tasha in the series, had to achieve a level of chi before attempting to embody the young heroine. BostonGlobe.com, 21 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chi.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 3 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

chi

noun
ˈkī
: the 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet
Χ or χ
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