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

---

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

---

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

It also criticized the office of then-Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody for failing to exercise sufficient oversight of the settlement.

From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026

The effect was particularly noticeable when supplementation was combined with physical exercise.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

But overnight rain and rising river waters hampered rescue efforts at that site, and Nepal's disaster authorities urged rescue teams on Sunday to exercise caution.

From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026

One Number 10 source said Burnham's debut would be used as a "learning exercise" to discover "what works and what doesn't".

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

All their previous walks had been less about exercise and more about Aunt Rose asking Ophie endless questions, a gentle inquisition that always left Ophie feeling uncomfortable and vaguely out of sorts.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

Dingell said she's still trying to figure out if Piker is popular because "he exercises and looks buff."

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

In addition to the variety of instruments evoking the sounds of nature, it incorporated breathwork, vocal exercises and a small amount of physical sensation: a refreshing spritz of rose water.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

Authorities also expanded a mandatory online training course for individual investors that explains the risks and tracks mock investments through hours of trading exercises.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

“In most statistical exercises, it’s not unthinkable that there might be 0.019% false positives – and if that were the case here, that would turn the total conclusions to zero,” he said.

From Salon ● Aug. 21, 2026

I try to ignore everything but the exercises I move through to limber up my muscles.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

Hertz, who argued the sheriff’s case after Riverside’s county counsel largely sided with the plaintiffs, said Bianco simply exercised his legal discretion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

He'd exercised a lot when he was younger but was now struggling to do that.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

The good doctor exercised his Fifth Amendment rights in response to most questions, correctly pointing out that Paul has an “obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution.”

From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026

They have simply changed how that influence is exercised.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Now colored folks like Ophie and her mother, historically in bondage, exercised the freedom they did have to make their way to the city, escaping the chokehold of Jim Crow.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

"People in my area talk about how physical pain prevents them from working, exercising and pain can generally just drag you down, " he said.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026

But he added: William "will look benevolent. He will look like he is exercising magnanimity."

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

The legal nonprofit Civil Liberties Defense Center filed a motion seeking to quash the subpoena, arguing that their client was exercising protected free speech.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

"For many adults with central obesity who struggle to balance work, study, family and other commitments, time constraints are a primary barrier to exercising multiple days per week."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026

Between exercising so much lately and the long trip, my body is screaming for relief.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles

Related Words

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