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.

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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

Fifteen players showed up for a one-hour workout Wednesday at HalCap Field.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Kenneth Wilkie, 78, said the steps were a "good workout" to help people stay fit.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

The Texas attorney general is investigating Lululemon Athletica for allegedly using so-called forever chemicals in its workout gear.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Lululemon over potential toxic chemicals in its workout apparel.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

But they still hadn’t timed a single workout for Seabiscuit since he arrived at Santa Anita a month before.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

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