exercise

1 of 2

noun

ex·​er·​cise ˈek-sər-ˌsīz 

1

a

: the act of bringing into play or realizing in action : use

the exercise of self-control

b

: the discharge of an official function or professional occupation

exercise of his judicial duties

c

: the act or an instance of carrying out the terms of an agreement (such as an option)

—often used attributively

an option's exercise price

2

a

: regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ

b

: bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness

trying to get more exercise

3

: something performed or practiced in order to develop, improve, or display a specific capability or skill

arithmetic exercises

vocal exercises

4

: a performance or activity having a strongly marked secondary or ulterior aspect

party politics has always been an exercise in compromise

—H. S. Ashmore

5

a

: a maneuver, operation, or drill carried out for training and discipline

naval exercises

b

exercises plural : a program including speeches, announcements of awards and honors, and various traditional practices of secular or religious character

commencement exercises

exercise

2 of 2

verb

exercised; exercising

transitive verb

1

a

: to make effective in action : use

didn't exercise good judgment

b

: to bring to bear : exert

exercise influence

c

: to implement the terms of

exercise an option

2

a

: to use repeatedly in order to strengthen or develop

exercise a muscle

b

: to train by drills and maneuvers

exercise troops

c

: to put through exercises

exercise the horses

3

a

: to engage the attention and effort of

b

: to cause anxiety, alarm, or indignation in

the issues exercising voters this year

intransitive verb

: to take exercise

exercisable

ˈek-sər-ˌsī-zə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

Noun

• activity
• conditioning
• exertion

Verb

• apply
• exert
• ply
• put out
• wield

Examples of exercise in a Sentence

Noun

Get plenty of fresh air and exercise.

Swimming is my favorite kind of exercise.

She did stretching exercises before her daily run.

Do the writing exercise at the end of each chapter.

The negotiations have gotten nowhere, and I see no reason to continue with this pointless exercise.

Verb

It's important to exercise every day.

He eats right and exercises regularly.

Bicycle riding exercises the leg muscles.

The stable boys exercise the horses every morning.

He didn't exercise good judgment.

We just need to exercise common sense.

She has been reluctant to exercise her authority.

Exercise caution when using these chemicals.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These Nike slides are great for the locker room, travel between games, and anywhere else your exercise might take you. —Olivia Avitt, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024

And adults are turning to bovine colostrum for a whole bunch of other reasons aside from its biological purpose, including clearing up their skin, boosting digestion, and improving exercise. —Audrey Bruno, SELF, 11 Apr. 2024

Some recent research has also suggested that exercise in the morning may have its own unique benefits, such as better fat-burning. —Ed Cara / Gizmodo, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024

And nurture each other in a way that suggests that this whole manufactured exercise in Sasquatchery is really an allegory for the glorious, complicated human experience. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024

As Mars and Saturn align, fighting to earn another’s respect is a fruitless exercise. —USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024

These measures can include exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024

So for those of us torn between watching the sun get blotted out and getting blotto keeping our attention on a particularly good rock show, this exercise in multi-tasking was a real contest of self-will. —Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024

Protein does so much for your body, from repairing muscles after exercise to keeping you full and satisfied. —Audrey Bruno, SELF, 1 Apr. 2024

Verb

For the cover of the April 22 & 29, 2024, Innovation & Tech Issue, Ana Juan depicts a cat exercising its hunting instinct on a digital tablet, ignoring the real-life mice right behind it—a scene that both illustrates and allegorizes the pernicious appeal of today’s digital pastimes. —Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

The Crossword Book Buy on Amazon This book is packed with over 350 options for dads who want to exercise their brains or who enjoy the challenge of a crossword puzzle. —Lauren Finney Harden, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2024

Tamar has her master's degree in nutrition and exercise physiology from Teachers College, Columbia University. —Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024

The Rams declined to exercise his fifth-year option and, after offseason workouts in 2017, traded him to the Lions. —Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Rights may be exercised at any time during the subscription period. —Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2024

These border missions have been exercised by both red and blue commanders in chief. —Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Apr. 2024

How Mary and George exercised their influence Appointed to the position of royal cup-bearer in 1614, George served the king drinks and monitored his cup to safeguard against any poisoning attempts. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

These workouts involve exercising at a high intensity for short durations, like an all-out sprint or cycle for 30 seconds to a minute, followed by a period of low intensity activity. —Jason Sawyer, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercitare to train, exercise, frequentative of exercēre to train, occupy, from ex- + arcēre to enclose, hold off — more at ark

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing exercise

• exercise bicycle
• setting-up exercise
• exercise bike
• exercise in futility
• floor exercise

Kids Definition

exercise

1 of 2 noun

ex·​er·​cise ˈek-sər-ˌsīz 

1

: the act of putting into use, action, or practice

the exercise of power

2

: bodily activity for the sake of physical fitness

get plenty of fresh air and exercise

3

: something done to develop skill

arithmetic exercises

finger exercises

4

plural : a program of songs, speeches, and announcements of awards and honors

graduation exercises

exercise

2 of 2 verb

exercised; exercising

1

: to put into use : exert

exercise patience

exercise authority

2

a

: to use again and again in order to strengthen or develop

exercise a muscle

b

: to put through exercises : give exercise to

exercise the dog

3

: to worry, alarm, or annoy about something

the people were exercised about pollution

4

: to take exercise

exercises every day

exercisable

-ˌsī-zə-bəl 

adjective

exerciser noun

Medical Definition

exercise

1 of 2 noun

ex·​er·​cise ˈek-sər-ˌsīz 

1

: regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ

2

: bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness

exercise

2 of 2 verb

exercised; exercising

transitive verb

1

: to use repeatedly in order to strengthen or develop (as a muscle)

2

: to put through exercises

intransitive verb

: to take exercise

Legal Definition

exercise

1 of 2 noun

ex·​er·​cise ˈek-sər-ˌsīz 

1

: the discharge of an official function or professional occupation

2

: the act or an instance of carrying out the terms of an agreement (as an option)

exercise

2 of 2 transitive verb

exercised; exercising

1

: to make effective in action

exercising power

2

: to bring to bear

exercise influence

3

: to implement the terms of (as an option)

exercisable

ˌek-sər-ˈsī-zə-bəl, ˈek-sər-ˌsī- 

adjective