A weightlifting exercise where you lift a loaded barbell from the ground to hip level, then lower it back down. It primarily targets the posterior chain muscles including glutes, hamstrings, and lower back.
From English 'dead' (meaning motionless, from the ground) + 'lift' (to raise up). The term emerged in powerlifting in the mid-20th century to distinguish this lift from others that start from elevated positions.
The deadlift is often called the 'king of exercises' because it activates more muscles simultaneously than any other single movement - over 200 muscles work together! It's the only lift in powerlifting that starts from a complete stop, making it the truest test of raw strength.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.