Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A system of exercises that promote the strengthening of the body, often using specialized equipment.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[After Joseph Hubertus Pilates, (1880–1967), German-born American physical fitness instructor who developed the system.]

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Examples

  • If Pilates is more your speed, then you'll probably like this workout.

    Jill S. Brown: Infomercial Workouts: Are They For You? Jill S. Brown 2010

  • Mr. Gallagher bought the rights to the name Pilates for $18,000 in 1992, and he has threatened to sue just about anyone else who uses the Pilates moniker.

    Manhattan ��ber-Gals Get Pilates Bodies 1998

  • They jealously guard the name Pilates and are allied with Sean Gallagher, director of the Pilates Studio, a training center on Broadway between 73rd and 74th streets.

    Manhattan ��ber-Gals Get Pilates Bodies 1998

  • Mr. Gallagher bought the rights to the name Pilates for $18,000 in 1992, and he has threatened to sue just about anyone else who uses the Pilates moniker.

    Manhattan ��ber-Gals Get Pilates Bodies 1998

  • They jealously guard the name Pilates and are allied with Sean Gallagher, director of the Pilates Studio, a training center on Broadway between 73rd and 74th streets.

    Manhattan ��ber-Gals Get Pilates Bodies 1998

  • a most welcome invite for Thanksgiving progress in Pilates class progress in Hatha II, too more inspiration and aspiration still more new friends on Ravelry

    Archive 2009-08-01 2009

  • a most welcome invite for Thanksgiving progress in Pilates class progress in Hatha II, too more inspiration and aspiration still more new friends on Ravelry

    Felix et errabunda XXXIII 2009

  • By the time I was done with cardio I felt okay about only doing forty minutes because I’d run for over an hour that morning and moved to the mats on the floor to begin the glorified sit-ups they call Pilates, I noticed my brother still standing in the corner.

    Unbearable Lightness Portia de Rossi 2010

  • The body conditioning class was different -- it was based on something called Pilates, and I could see it would help me understand my own body and deal with my physical weaknesses and injuries.

    Mao's Last Dancer Li, Cunxin, 1961- 2003

  • The body conditioning class was different -- it was based on something called Pilates, and I could see it would help me understand my own body and deal with my physical weaknesses and injuries.

    Mao's last dancer Li, Cunxin, 1961- 2003

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