workout

1 of 2

noun

work·​out ˈwərk-ˌau̇t How to pronounce workout (audio)
1
: a practice or exercise to test or improve one's fitness for athletic competition, ability, or performance
2
: a test of one's ability, capacity, stamina, or suitability
3
: an undertaking or plan intended to resolve a problem of indebtedness especially in lieu of bankruptcy or foreclosure proceedings

work out

2 of 2

verb

worked out; working out; works out

transitive verb

1
a
: to bring about by labor and exertion
work out your own salvationPhilippians 2:12 (King James Version)
b
: to solve (something, such as a problem) by a process of reasoning or calculation
c
: to devise, arrange, or achieve by resolving difficulties
after many years of wrangling, worked out a definite agreementA. A. Butkus
d
: develop
the final situation is not worked out with psychological profundityLeslie Rees
2
: to discharge (a debt) by labor
3
: to exhaust (something, such as a mine) by working

intransitive verb

1
a
: to prove effective, practicable, or suitable
how this will actually work out I don't knowMilton Kotler
b
: to amount to a total or calculated figure
used with at or to
2
: to engage in a workout
works out regularly at the gym

Examples of workout in a Sentence

Noun The team had a good workout at practice today. Her workout includes running on the treadmill and lifting weights. Verb by putting our heads together, we were able to work out the problem worked out a compromise between the warring factions
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.
Noun
They are meant to help individuals measure progress, achieve specific fitness goals and get the most out of their workout. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 May 2025 During the first portion of the voluntary workouts, the Chargers experimented on the offensive line with Zion Johnson at center. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
Verb
The $1,100 price is in New Taiwan Dollars, or NTD; that worked out at today's exchange rate to about $36.50. John Burek, PC Magazine, 19 May 2025 But while the Haitian government pays pays 11 gourdes per gallon in transport fees, the average cost to the sector works out to be about 45 gourdes, or 34 cents, executives say. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for workout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1534, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of workout was in 1534

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Workout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workout. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

workout

1 of 2 noun
work·​out ˈwər-ˌkau̇t How to pronounce workout (audio)
: a practice or exercise to test or improve one's fitness especially in athletics

work out

2 of 2 verb
ˌwər-ˈkau̇t,
ˈwər-
1
: to bring about by effort or by clearing up difficulties
2
a
: solve
work out a math problem
b
: develop sense 2
work out a plan
3
: to be successful
our plans for reorganization worked out
4
: to perform athletic exercises to improve one's fitness
working out at the gym

Legal Definition

workout

noun
work·​out
: an undertaking or plan intended to resolve a problem of indebtedness especially in lieu of bankruptcy or foreclosure proceedings

More from Merriam-Webster on workout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!