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

Understanding the brain's role in habit formation could help policymakers design more effective health campaigns, from encouraging regular exercise to reducing sugar consumption.

From Science Daily

To help their child avoid getting angry or frustrated, parents say they often try to ensure they get enough sleep and exercise, help identify and avoid triggers and avoiding overscheduling.

From Science Daily

And with the affordability that he could guarantee, it was practically middle-class Americans’ democratic duty, to hear him tell it, to exercise their inalienable right to see London, Paris and Rome.

From New York Times

Instead, according to analysts and former officials, Ms. Gabbard seems to simply share the Kremlin’s geopolitical views, especially when it comes to the exercise of American military power.

From New York Times

They must carefully guard and exercise what he called “the constitutional rights“ of the institutions where their members serve, even if it means defying the wishes of a president from their party.

From Salon

Related Words

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

How Do You Spell Exercise?

Spelling tips for exercise

The word exercise is hard to spell for two reasons. First, it can be tempting to add an extra c to the word after the x (excercise). Second, it can be hard to remember whether the c or the s comes first in the word (exersice). 

How to spell exercise: To spell exercise, it helps to keep in mind that the c and the s appear in the same order they do in the alphabet (the c before the s). Also, there is only one c.

More About Exercise

What does exercise mean?

Exercise is energetic physical or mental effort, usually for health or betterment, such as running or doing crossword puzzles.

An exercise is an action that you do repeatedly to strengthen yourself or to get better at it. Push-ups are exercises you do to strengthen your body. Grammar exercises are often sentences you correct the grammar of to improve your understanding of grammar.

To exercise means to practice the action, as in My doctor wants me to exercise more so that I will be healthier.

Example: It has been difficult to fit in time for exercise lately.

Where does exercise come from?

The first records of the term exercise come from the 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Latin exercitium.

While most often, we talk about exercising our bodies and minds, exercise can be used to describe many other kinds of activities. For example, when you exercise your right to vote, you put into practice or use a right that you have. When you exercise good judgment by having only one slice of cake, you are using good judgment. When you perform your duties as class president, you are exercising your duties. All of these senses relate to performing or practicing an action.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to exercise? 

• exercisable (adjective)
• overexercise (verb)
• postexercise (adjective)
• unexercised (adjective)
• well-exercised (adjective)

What are some synonyms for exercise?

• activity
• apply
• exert
• performance
• train

What are some words that share a root or word element with exercise? 

• exercise machine
• exercise ball
• exerciser

What are some words that often get used in discussing exercise?

• cardio
• mental
• muscle
• repetition

What are some words exercise may be commonly confused with?

• exorcise

How is exercise used in real life?

Exercise is a common word most often used to talk about physical activity.

New exercise gear makes me feel like superman lol

— Ashton Irwin (@Ashton5SOS) June 9, 2015

There is no such thing as the perfect family. Only by the daily exercise of forgiveness can a family grow.

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 1, 2018

Ideas for getting more exercise next year:

– Move the biscuits farther away
– Buy a heavier kettle

— VeryBritishProblems (@SoVeryBritish) December 30, 2018

 

 

Try using exercise!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for exercise?

A. action
B. movement
C. workout
D. rest