Able-bodied describes someone whose body works in the typical way, without disabilities or physical limitations. An able-bodied person can walk, run, lift things, and move around without needing assistance from wheelchairs, crutches, or other mobility aids.

The term appears most often in historical contexts or when discussing physical requirements. During wartime, governments would draft able-bodied men for military service, meaning those physically capable of fighting. Ship captains needed able-bodied sailors who could climb rigging and haul ropes.

A related term is disabled, which often describes someone with physical or mental conditions that limit certain activities. Modern society increasingly recognizes that disabilities don't define a person's worth or potential. Creating buildings, technologies, and opportunities that work for everyone, regardless of physical ability, helps make communities stronger and more inclusive.