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.

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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

Kenneth Wilkie, 78, said the steps were a "good workout" to help people stay fit.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

The Texas attorney general is investigating Lululemon Athletica for allegedly using so-called forever chemicals in its workout gear.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Shares of Lululemon Athletica were down after the Texas attorney general announced an investigation into whether the company’s popular workout wear could contain potentially toxic chemicals.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

On a Sunday, you just want to rest, so you’re not trying to do a full-blown workout.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

On the afternoon of November 28, the last practice day of the fall term, the freshmen took one final, frigid workout.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Related Words

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