exercise
Americannoun
-
bodily or mental exertion, especially for the sake of training or improvement of health.
Walking is good exercise.
- Synonyms:
- gymnastics, calisthenics, activity
- Antonyms:
- inaction
-
something done or performed as a means of practice or training.
exercises for the piano.
-
a putting into action, use, operation, or effect.
the exercise of caution.
- Synonyms:
- performance, practice, application, employment
-
a written composition, musical piece, or artistic work executed for practice or to illustrate a particular aspect of technique.
-
Often exercises. a traditional ceremony.
graduation exercises.
-
a religious observance or service.
- Synonyms:
- ritual
verb (used with object)
-
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
-
to put (faculties, rights, etc.) into action, practice, or use.
to exercise freedom of speech.
-
to use or display in one's action or procedure.
to exercise judgment.
-
to make use of (one's privileges, powers, etc.).
to exercise one's constitutional rights.
-
to discharge (a function); perform.
to exercise the duties of one's office.
-
to have as an effect.
to exercise an influence on someone.
-
to worry; make uneasy; annoy.
to be much exercised about one's health.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to put into use; employ
to exercise tact
-
(intr) to take exercise or perform exercises; exert one's muscles, etc, esp in order to keep fit
-
to practise using in order to develop or train
to exercise one's voice
-
to perform or make proper use of
to exercise one's rights
-
to bring to bear; exert
to exercise one's influence
-
(often passive) to occupy the attentions of, esp so as to worry or vex
to be exercised about a decision
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military to carry out or cause to carry out, manoeuvres, simulated combat operations, etc
noun
-
physical exertion, esp for the purpose of development, training, or keeping fit
-
mental or other activity or practice, esp in order to develop a skill
-
a set of movements, questions, tasks, etc, designed to train, improve, or test one's ability in a particular field
piano exercises
-
a performance or work of art done as practice or to demonstrate a technique
-
the performance of a function; discharge
the exercise of one's rights
the object of the exercise is to win
-
(sometimes plural) military a manoeuvre or simulated combat operation carried out for training and evaluation
-
(usually plural) a ceremony or formal routine, esp at a school or college
opening exercises
graduation exercises
-
gymnastics a particular type of event, such as performing on the horizontal bar
Usage
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.
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
nonexercisenoun
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overexerciseverb
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reexerciseverb
-
underexerciseverb (used without object)
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exercisableadjective
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nonexercisableadjective
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postexerciseadjective
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unexercisableadjective
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unexercisedadjective
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well-exercisedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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exercisesimple
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exercisessimple
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have exercisedperfect
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has exercisedperfect
-
am exercisingprogressive
-
are exercisingprogressive
-
is exercisingprogressive
-
have been exercisingperfect progressive
-
has been exercisingperfect progressive
Past
-
exercisedsimple
-
had exercisedperfect
-
was exercisingprogressive
-
were exercisingprogressive
-
had been exercisingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of exercise
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
Explanation
Exercise is physical activity, like an exercise class, or the act of practicing anything — like people who exercise caution while crossing the street. If your dad tells you to exercise restraint in dealing with your brother who just broke your computer, he hasn't suggested that you tie your brother up — here exercise means "use" or "practice." This might remind you of the writing exercises your teacher gave you: practice in forming letters. In many kinds of exercise, the results come from doing something over and over — just ask anyone who exercises, or works out.
Vocabulary lists containing exercise
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Mahatma Gandhi's "Quit India" Speech
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The First Amendment of the US Constitution
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The defendants have denied allegations that they breached their fiduciary duties and failed to exercise proper oversight of the school.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
The lawsuit places the latest Florida education dispute at the intersection of academic freedom, faculty discretion and the authority public institutions exercise over classroom instruction.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026
Previous research has suggested that a "weekend warrior" pattern, in which most weekly exercise is completed over one or two days, can still produce health benefits.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026
"Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions," the state department security alert said on Saturday.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion, and doubt as to the occasion’s justifying her coming so far alone.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
A further complaint said another boxer suffered an injured hand, but felt "forced to undertake unsuitable exercises".
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
They lasted anywhere from two to 52 weeks and included strengthening exercises, aerobic activity, and mind-body approaches.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
Doris Day, a New York-based dermatologist, tells her patients and social media followers to swap frequent forehead Botox appointments for facial exercises.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Congress exercises control over the district under the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
The lesson book is about half finger exercises.
From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien
Participants who exercised once per week and those who exercised three times per week reduced total body fat mass, body fat percentage, and waist circumference.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026
What power is being exercised, against whom, by what means, and in response to what danger?
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
If the overallotment option is fully exercised, CXMT’s A-share IPO would be the third-largest in China.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
The higher the implied volatility, the more likely the option to buy or sell is exercised, which means the higher the price for that option.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
No one cared, no one exercised any real discipline over us; we were on our own.
From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
For some patients, however, the medications can cause muscle pain, weakness, and difficulty exercising, making it harder to stay on treatment.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 1, 2026
One was a tech engineer who took a sabbatical year at age 44 with income near zero after exercising options strategically to free up cash to pay the tax.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
“When people are punished for exercising their First Amendment rights, we begin losing the democratic principles that protect all of us. Every American should be alarmed by retaliatory action against one’s free speech.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Among the celebrity sightings was McLaren F1 champion Lando Norris exercising the McLaren MCL-HY endurance hypercar.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
"You're going to wear yourself out, all that exercising and running. Take a break and come on out. Jeff won't be home again till Thanksgiving."
From "The Contender" by Robert Lipsyte
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
