exercise

[ ek-ser-sahyz ]

noun

1. bodily or mental exertion, especially for the sake of training or improvement of health:

   Walking is good exercise.

   Synonyms: gymnastics, calisthenics, activity

   Antonyms: inaction

2. something done or performed as a means of practice or training:

   exercises for the piano.

3. a putting into action, use, operation, or effect:

   the exercise of caution.

   Synonyms: performance, practice, application, employment

4. a written composition, musical piece, or artistic work executed for practice or to illustrate a particular aspect of technique.
5. Often exercises. a traditional ceremony:

   graduation exercises.

6. a religious observance or service.

   Synonyms: ritual

verb (used with object)

, ex·er·cised, ex·er·cis·ing.

1. to put through exercises, or forms of practice or exertion, designed to train, develop, condition, or the like:

   to exercise a horse.

   Synonyms: school, drill, discipline

2. to put (faculties, rights, etc.) into action, practice, or use:

   to exercise freedom of speech.

3. to use or display in one's action or procedure:

   to exercise judgment.

   Synonyms: practice, exert, apply, employ

4. to make use of (one's privileges, powers, etc.):

   to exercise one's constitutional rights.

5. to discharge (a function); perform:

   to exercise the duties of one's office.

6. to have as an effect:

   to exercise an influence on someone.

7. to worry; make uneasy; annoy:

   to be much exercised about one's health.

   Synonyms: trouble, try

verb (used without object)

, ex·er·cised, ex·er·cis·ing.

1. to go through exercises; take bodily exercise.

exercise

/ ˈɛksəˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to put into use; employ

   to exercise tact

2. intr to take exercise or perform exercises; exert one's muscles, etc, esp in order to keep fit
3. to practise using in order to develop or train

   to exercise one's voice

4. to perform or make proper use of

   to exercise one's rights

5. to bring to bear; exert

   to exercise one's influence

6. often passive to occupy the attentions of, esp so as to worry or vex

   to be exercised about a decision

7. military to carry out or cause to carry out, manoeuvres, simulated combat operations, etc

noun

1. physical exertion, esp for the purpose of development, training, or keeping fit
2. mental or other activity or practice, esp in order to develop a skill
3. a set of movements, questions, tasks, etc, designed to train, improve, or test one's ability in a particular field

   piano exercises

4. a performance or work of art done as practice or to demonstrate a technique
5. the performance of a function; discharge

   the object of the exercise is to win

   the exercise of one's rights

6. sometimes plural military a manoeuvre or simulated combat operation carried out for training and evaluation
7. usually plural a ceremony or formal routine, esp at a school or college

   opening exercises

   graduation exercises

8. gymnastics a particular type of event, such as performing on the horizontal bar

Derived Forms

• ˈexerˌcisable, adjective

Other Words From

• exer·cisa·ble adjective
• non·exer·cisa·ble adjective
• non·exer·cise noun
• over·exer·cise verb overexercised overexercising
• post·exer·cise adjective
• re·exer·cise verb reexercised reexercising
• under·exer·cise verb (used without object) underexercised underexercising
• un·exer·cisa·ble adjective
• un·exer·cised adjective
• well-exer·cised adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exercise¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (noun), from Middle French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercit(us) “trained” (past participle of exercēre “to train,” from ex- ex- ¹ + -ercēre, combining form of arcēre “to restrain”) + -ium, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of exercise¹

C14: from Old French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercēre to drill, from ex- ¹+ arcēre to ward off

Synonym Study

Exercise, drill, practice refer to activities undertaken for training in some skill. Exercise is the most general term and may be either physical or mental: an exercise in arithmetic. Drill is disciplined repetition of set exercises, often performed in a group, directed by a leader: military drill. Practice is repeated or methodical exercise: Even great musicians require constant practice.

Example Sentences

That’s hardly the number that Ramaswamy must have been thinking of with his Social Security exercise, but it’s still quite a hefty one.

From Slate

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, the UK's most senior civil servant, told ministers last month they should "exercise discretion and should not take part in the public debate".

From BBC

The satellite radio operator gave Yoakam his own channel in 2018 as a space to exercise his studious fandom — to talk with and highlight his peers and heroes and to share his musical taste and knowledge with listeners.

From Los Angeles Times

In between working, astronauts on long stays must do two hours of exercise daily.

From BBC

How do you exercise and wash your clothes?

From BBC

Related Words

• act
• action
• activity
• drill
• examination
• lesson
• movement
• operation
• performance
• problem
• study
• task
• test
• training
• workout