exercise

American  

[ek-ser-sahyz] / ˈɛk sərˌsaɪz /

noun

exercises plural

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

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verb (used with object)

exercises, present (3rd person singular) exercised, past participle, past exercising present participle

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)

exercises, present (3rd person singular) exercised, past participle, past exercising present participle

1. to go through exercises; take bodily exercise.

exercise British  

/ 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

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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 exercise of one's rights

   the object of the exercise is to win

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

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

• nonexercise
  noun
• overexercise
  verb
• reexercise
  verb
• underexercise
  verb (used without object)
• exercisable
  adjective
• nonexercisable
  adjective
• postexercise
  adjective
• unexercisable
  adjective
• unexercised
  adjective
• well-exercised
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• exercises
  plural

Participles

• exercising
  present
• exercised
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• exercise
  simple
• exercises
  simple
• have exercised
  perfect
• has exercised
  perfect
• am exercising
  progressive
• are exercising
  progressive
• is exercising
  progressive
• have been exercising
  perfect progressive
• has been exercising
  perfect progressive

Past

• exercised
  simple
• had exercised
  perfect
• was exercising
  progressive
• were exercising
  progressive
• had been exercising
  perfect progressive

Future

• will exercise
  simple
• will have exercised
  perfect
• will be exercising
  progressive
• will have been exercising
  perfect progressive

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

exercise exercises exercised exercising

The high temperatures come not long after a record-breaking 4 July heatwave hit large portions of the US, leading experts to warn people to exercise caution.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

When a board adopts a compliance posture without independently documenting the underlying risk, it’s called a failure to exercise the duty of care.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Researchers also want to investigate whether combining GLP-1 medications with healthy habits such as diet, exercise, and quality sleep could produce even greater effects on biological aging.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026

As part of its emergency preparations, ministers will run a multi-day exercise, named Operation Albiston Shadow, which will test the country's ability to respond to hybrid attacks.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

While the cooking mania lasted she went through Mrs. Cornelius’s Receipt Book as if it were a mathematical exercise, working out the problems with patience and care.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

“As someone who exercises every day, I also noticed that I did not have the energy to do that, and I would have to make frequent restroom visits.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

Referee Facundo Tello and his team will travel to the training centre and be put through exercises involving two XIs, who will perform drills to mimic the playing style and tactical approach of the quarter-finalists.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

But virtually all cults are defined by one thing: a charismatic leader who exercises dominance over the flock.

From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026

Relatively stable and prosperous, Ghana has hosted American-led commando exercises aimed at helping West African countries combat a growing threat from al Qaeda and Islamic State militants.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

Mom started doing deep breath exercises, moving her lips silently.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

After 10 weeks of training, rats that exercised had about four times as many neurons in the cardiovascular nerve cluster on the right side of the body compared with the left, relative to untrained animals.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026

Justice Thomas said the First and Second banks were an “ahistorical analogy” because they were far weaker than the Federal Reserve and exercised no executive power.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

"Having a dog is one of the biggest tips - once you know you've got the responsibility to keep him exercised, keep him entertained, then you have the motivation to go out."

From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026

SpaceX raised a total of $86 billion after underwriters exercised their right to sell additional shares, on top of the $75 billion initially raised.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

It was not the thought of the power that Vincent had over him that infuriated him, but the recklessness with which Vincent had exercised it.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I was 33, practicing yoga and exercising almost daily.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

Here, he speaks about his fishy breakfast, exercising without pain and his love of classic film.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

People are being reminded that it's fine to take a couple of days off from exercising, given the hot weather.

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

Princeton, the spokesperson added, maintains policies that “prevent outside funders from exercising undue influence over research,” including not permitting sponsors to have veto power over publications.

From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2026

But by moving to Waltha Castle, she was also exercising one of the only freedoms available to women at the time: religious independence.

From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman

Related Words

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