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
• exertion
• conditioning

Verb

• exert
• use
• apply

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

Hoffert is in the Brain Research Health Study, which combines exercise with virtual reality gaming for some participants. —Barbara Bry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025

In nursing homes, Robin plays memory games with people suffering from dementia, takes them through breathing exercises on difficult days and offers them a form of companionship that resembles a grandchild with a grandparent. —Hallie Golden The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025

Verb

In the scenario that Dynamite presents, with no knowledge of the missile’s source, Karbler believes a president would likely exercise restraint and think about the larger picture. —Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 27 Oct. 2025

For patients just starting to exercise, walking or cycling for five to 10 minutes a day can help you get started in receiving those benefits and restrengthening the muscles around your joints, according to Santas. —Gina Park, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for exercise

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

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