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

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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

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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

Their cases differ in important respects, but together they raise questions about the relationship between presidential hostility and the exercise of state power.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

In its report three weeks after the exercise, DN said the recordings came from rental vehicles -- at least two of them Deepal brand cars, made by Chinese state-controlled automaker Changan.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

"It was explained to me about the exercise, and the analysis that has been done across the club, and with the intention always to evolve, to improve," said the Spaniard.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

A writer’s gift best recommends itself when he or she is forced to exercise economy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

“Partner up,” Coach yelled, introducing a passing exercise.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

The Daily Telegraph leads with reports that RAF jets had two close encounters with unidentified drones earlier this year while they were completing training exercises over the North Sea.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

It’s like spending the day doing core-tightening exercises on a Pilates ball.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026

Our work has shown that older people are willing to try strength training, even if they have never done it before, when exercises are tailored to their needs and supervised by qualified professionals.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026

Former Benfica manager Jesus also dismissed suggestions Ronaldo had refused to train on Tuesday, saying the 41-year-old instead had to do individual exercises for "mobility" and "strengthening" but would train as normal on Wednesday.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

We perched on the piano bench and she showed me a few finger exercises.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Doctors also say that certain patients, usually older adults, postmenopausal women or people who have never exercised, are suddenly dealing with back or bone issues after experiencing rapid weight loss.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

On each of those occasions, the governor’s office exercised its authority to prevent her release.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

The study, recently published in Family Relations, found that couples who exercised together reported better communication, more effective conflict resolution and less marital stress than couples who did not share physical activity.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026

The petition argues that Kumar exercised powers that belong to the commission collectively and seeks a ruling that any such actions were unauthorised.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

No one cared, no one exercised any real discipline over us; we were on our own.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Sabriena Clayton, 48, had struggled with her weight her entire life, despite exercising regularly and eating well.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

While previous studies have largely examined how much time people spend exercising, the researchers focused on a different question: Does the number of days someone exercises influence how well they sleep?

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

The director would be able to manage public works projects, including construction, buying or leasing property, exercising eminent domain with City Council approval, granting street permits, regulating parking and recommending budgets for the department.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

“Rather than exercising discretion, they’re going to exercise enforcement,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

A few people are out there now, walking their dogs, couples exercising side by side, swinging their arms, thick fleece bands covering their ears.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

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Related Words

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

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