powerlifting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "powerlifting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a strength sport that focuses on three main lifts: the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Example: "She has been training for months to compete in the upcoming powerlifting championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a training system rather than a competitive sport such as Olympic weightlifting or powerlifting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first world powerlifting event was also conducted at York, in 1971, and in that same year the International Powerlifting Federation was formed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While veteran Pearson was disappointed with his perfomance, it was a different story for debutant Zoe Newson who won powerlifting bronze at the ExCel.

Independent

For other activities using weights but distinct from weightlifting, see weight training, bodybuilding, and powerlifting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dr. Metzl says the most important thing to realize is that strength training is not the same as powerlifting.

The New York Times

Perched somewhere between hard-luck tale and inspirational story, "All She Can," about a high school girl trying to win a scholarship to the University of Texas, mostly feels as ponderous as the sport that might be her ticket out: powerlifting.

The New York Times

It's no accident that her sport is powerlifting.

The New York Times

The gym is bare-bones: whitewashed walls; four barbell stands atop a raised wooden platform for Olympic lifting on the right; a series of racks and cages for powerlifting on the left.

The New York Times

This year's event will feature more than 500 athletes from 15 countries competing in 10 events, including archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling and wheelchair tennis.

The Guardian

Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPA Updated at 1.59pm BST 1.46pm BST Sherif Othman of Egypt gestures after winning the men's -56kg powerlifting final.

The Guardian

He said sports opportunities for disabled people had begun to improve in the past few years, with disabled table tennis tournaments broadcast on television and new opportunities in boccia and powerlifting.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "powerlifting", specify the context (e.g., competitive sport, training method) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "powerlifting" and Olympic weightlifting interchangeably; they are distinct sports with different objectives and techniques. Powerlifting focuses on maximal strength in the squat, bench press, and deadlift, while Olympic weightlifting involves the snatch and clean-and-jerk.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "powerlifting" is as a noun. It refers to a specific strength sport, as evidenced by Ludwig examples describing competitions and training for "powerlifting".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "powerlifting" is a grammatically correct noun used to describe a strength sport that emphasizes the squat, bench press, and deadlift. According to Ludwig, it's commonly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedias, demonstrating its widespread recognition. While "powerlifting" is often associated with strength training and weightlifting, it has specific technical meanings and is best used with context. Remember to distinguish "powerlifting" from Olympic weightlifting to avoid confusion, as the latter emphasizes technique and speed. Overall, the examples and analysis confirm that "powerlifting" is a valid and usable term in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Strength training

Focuses on the broader activity of building strength, not specifically the competitive sport.

Weightlifting

Encompasses Olympic weightlifting, which emphasizes technique and speed, unlike powerlifting's focus on sheer strength.

Competitive lifting

Highlights the competitive aspect of powerlifting and weightlifting.

Strength athletics

A general term for sports emphasizing physical strength.

Heavy lifting

Emphasizes the act of lifting heavy weights, a key component of powerlifting.

Resistance training

Focuses on training against resistance, which can include weights or other forms of resistance.

Maximum strength

Highlights the goal of powerlifting which is achieving the highest possible strength level.

Barbell training

Focuses specifically on the use of barbells, common in powerlifting.

Power sports

A broader term to describe sports that require considerable power.

Lifting weights

A basic description of the activity involved in powerlifting.

FAQs

How is "powerlifting" different from Olympic weightlifting?

While both involve lifting weights, "powerlifting" focuses on maximal strength in the squat, bench press, and deadlift, whereas Olympic weightlifting centers on technique and speed in the snatch and clean-and-jerk.

What are some exercises associated with "powerlifting"?

Key exercises in "powerlifting" include the squat, bench press, and deadlift, each aimed at testing and improving maximal strength.

Is "powerlifting" safe for young people?

When properly supervised and with an emphasis on technique and low weight, strength training, which is different from "powerlifting", can be safe and beneficial for young people.

What should I say instead of "powerlifting"?

Depending on the context, you could use "strength training" or "weightlifting", although these terms have slightly different meanings.