exertion

noun

ex·​er·​tion ig-ˈzər-shən How to pronounce exertion (audio)
: the act or an instance of exerting
especially : a laborious or perceptible effort

Examples of exertion in a Sentence

He was panting from the exertion of climbing the stairs. an easy sport that requires little physical exertion
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This lung disease causes shortness of breath, especially with exertion. Smita Patel, Verywell Health, 26 Apr. 2025 Longer bouts of exercise are less intense, so they can be mostly fueled by non-lactate-producing aerobic energy, and bouts of exertion shorter than one minute simply don’t have time to produce much lactate. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 24 Apr. 2025 Federal and local agencies recommend limiting outdoor exertion during high ozone alerts, especially during midday and early evening when levels are typically at their highest. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 Complemented by black-and-white footage of old races, the group conjured the labored breathing, accelerated blood flow and competitive exertion of cycling up hills, through valleys and across finish lines. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exertion

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exertion was in 1677

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Cite this Entry

“Exertion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exertion. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

exertion

noun
ex·​er·​tion ig-ˈzər-shən How to pronounce exertion (audio)
: the act or an instance of exerting

More from Merriam-Webster on exertion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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