work·out
ˈwərk-ˌau̇t 
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
worked out; working out; works out
1
a
: to bring about by labor and exertion
work out your own salvation—
Philippians 2:12 (King James Version)
Philippians 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 agreement—A. A. Butkus
A. A. Butkus
d
: develop
the final situation is not worked out with psychological profundity—Leslie Rees
Leslie Rees2
: to discharge (a debt) by labor
3
: to exhaust (something, such as a mine) by working
1
a
: to prove effective, practicable, or suitable
how this will actually work out I don't know—Milton Kotler
Milton 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
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 23 July 2025
But when Smart’s agent called him after a workout to let Smart know that Doncic reached out, Smart brushed it off.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 23 July 2025
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 July 2025
For mathematicians, conferences, workshops and research talks are not just opportunities to share research and network but also crucial moments to work out tough problems together with colleagues, pose field-propelling questions and generate new ideas.
—Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for workout
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Noun
The workouts prioritized isometric exercises that built a connection between mind and body while also advancing his tendon strength.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 23 July 2025
But when Smart’s agent called him after a workout to let Smart know that Doncic reached out, Smart brushed it off.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 23 July 2025
Verb
Japan imports 770,000 metric tons of rice tariff-free every year, around half of which comes from the U.S. Above that quota, Japan tariffs foreign rice at ¥341 (about $2.30) per kilogram, which works out to a tariff of around 227% according to a calculation by the Japan Times.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 July 2025
For mathematicians, conferences, workshops and research talks are not just opportunities to share research and network but also crucial moments to work out tough problems together with colleagues, pose field-propelling questions and generate new ideas.
—Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for workout
Cite this Entry
“Workout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workout. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
workout
1 of 2 noun
work·out
ˈwər-ˌkau̇t
: a practice or exercise to test or improve one's fitness especially in athletics
work out
2 of 2 verbˌwər-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
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