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

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 company was founded in 1998 with the intention of making workout wear that could help women and girls feel more confident.

From MarketWatch • May 31, 2026

“Something that I feel like I’ve learned is, it’s OK to ask for support,” Nacua said after participating in an organized-team activity workout in Woodland Hills.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 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

It was the early morning of June 23, 1938, workout hours.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

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