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.

---

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

In January, the company also faced backlash over see-through issues in its Get Low line of workout gear.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

The nearly 5,000-square-foot residence also includes an attic gym space—a fitting feature for the man who built an empire encouraging millions to exercise through his wildly successful “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” workout videos.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

The offseason workout program is about “setting foundations” that will help once players are participating in full-speed settings during training camp.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

Here, he discusses his diary writing, the best thing his mom taught him and his workout routine.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

In a workout three days earlier, Sea- biscuit had needed 1:48 to negotiate a mile.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

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