workout

American  

[wurk-out] / ˈwɜrkˌaʊt /

noun

1. a trial or practice session in athletics, as in running, boxing, or football.

2. a structured regime of physical exercise.

   She goes to the gym for a workout twice a week.

3. any trial or practice session.

4. an act or instance of working something out.

---

Etymology

Origin of workout

First recorded in 1890–95; noun use of verb phrase work out

Explanation

A workout is an exercise session. If you hope to join your school's track team, you'd better be prepared for regular workouts. If you do yoga, lift weights, or run with your dog, you can call each of these activities a workout. When it's a verb, workout becomes two separate words: work out. So you can either say "I work out three days a week" or "I usually do three workouts a week." When this noun first appeared around the turn of the 20th century, it referred specifically to a practice boxing match.

Example Sentences

During an indoor cycling workout, I tested the wearables against a chest strap that directly senses electrical heart signals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

The offseason workout program is about “setting foundations” that will help once players are participating in full-speed settings during training camp.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

The company was founded in 1998 with the intention of making workout wear that could help women and girls feel more confident.

From MarketWatch • May 31, 2026

“Something that I feel like I’ve learned is, it’s OK to ask for support,” Nacua said after participating in an organized-team activity workout in Woodland Hills.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

Sometimes, I would feel so panicked just watching television that I would throw myself on the floor of my bedroom for a core workout, pushing myself until my muscles cramped in pain.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

• conditioning
• drill
• rehearsal
• routine
• session
• test
• training
• tryout