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
Noun
Walking poles can make your walks safer and provide a good workout. Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024 To avoid this predicament, warm up for five to 10 minutes before workouts. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
There is little doubt that working out is beneficial to health. Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 There are still a few kinks that need working out, but all in all, fans of the Bose Sleepbud should rejoice. Victoria Song, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for workout 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'workout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near workout

Cite this Entry

“Workout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workout. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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

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