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warm-down

American  
[wawrm-daun] / ˈwɔrmˌdaʊn /
Or warmdown

noun

  1. a tapering off or recovery from strenuous physical exercise, especially running or racing, by slowing down or doing light stretches.


verb phrase

  1. to conclude or follow a period of strenuous physical exercise by walking or gentle stretching.

warm-down British  

noun

  1. light exercises performed to aid recovery from strenuous physical activity

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of warm-down

First recorded in 1950–55; warm ( def. ) (in the verb sense “to make warm, heat”) + down 1 ( def. ) (in the adverb sense “from a higher to a lower state or condition”); the verb phrase is derived from the noun

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Gabriel trained with United's senior players under Amorim and did the same on Monday, when those who started the draw at Leeds were on a warm-down session.

From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2026

Ramos picked up a calf injury while doing warm-down exercises with Spain after their 3-1 victory over Kosovo.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 2, 2021

An unused substitute as Arsenal beat Tottenham 2-1, Aubameyang left the Emirates Stadium instead of joining his fellow replacements for a warm-down session on the pitch.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 17, 2021

Before the start of the competition, Horton was in the warm-down pool when his main rival, China’s Sun Yang, vigorously splashed him, as if to get his attention.

From New York Times ● Aug. 8, 2016

MESA, Ariz. — Michael Phelps pulled himself out of the pool for the gazillionth time in his life, collected his clothes and walked from the competition pool to the warm-down area at Skyline Aquatic Center.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 18, 2015

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