warm-down

American  

[wawrm-doun] / 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.

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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

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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

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

In her mind, she figured there would be a medal ceremony for the 200 in between, which would have eaten up precious minutes of rest and cut short her warm-down session.

From Washington Post • Jul. 27, 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

Towards the end of his time at Valencia Feghouli was suspended by the club for repeatedly missing training, and for refusing to take part in a post-match warm-down, claiming he had a sore ankle.

From The Guardian • Sep. 9, 2016

Her premeet illness, and a broken left pinkie finger she sustained in a collision in the warm-down pool during the trials, reminded Beisel that her sports career, like a piano chord, is sweet but short.

From New York Times • Aug. 5, 2016