Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense exercises, present participle exercising, past tense, past participle exercised
1. verb
If you exercise something such as your authority, your rights, or a good quality, you use it or putit into effect.
[formal]
They are merely exercising their right to free speech. [VERB noun]
He insisted that he would exercise presidential powers to the full. [VERB noun]
Britain has warned travellers to exercise prudence and care. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: put to use, use, apply, employ More Synonyms of exercise
Exercise is also a noun.
...the exercise of political and economic power. [+ of]
Leadership does not rest on the exercise of force alone. [+ of]
2. verb
When you exercise, you move your body energetically in order to get fit and to remain healthy.
She exercises two or three times a week. [VERB]
Never keep on exercising if you have even the slightest chest pain. [VERB]
Exercising the body does a great deal to improve one's health. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: train, work out, practise, drill More Synonyms of exercise
Exercise is also a noun.
Lack of exercise can lead to feelings of depression and exhaustion.
Aerobic exercise moves our entire body and uses most major muscles.
3. verb
If a movement or activity exercises a part of your body, it keeps it strong, healthy, or in good condition.
They call rowing the perfect sport. It exercises every major muscle group. [VERB noun]
4. countable noun [usually plural]
Exercises are a series of movements or actions which you do in order to get fit, remain healthy,or practise for a particular physical activity.
These stomach exercises will tighten abdominal muscles.
I do special neck and shoulder exercises.
That's when I try to meditate or do some deep-breathing exercises.
5. countable noun [usually plural, oft onNOUN]
Exercises are military activities and operations which are not part of a real war, but which allow the armed forces to practise for a real war.
General Powell predicted that in the future it might even be possible to stage jointmilitary exercises.
The military truck was taking 14 men on exercise in a remote area of Norway.
6. countable noun
An exercise is a short activity or piece of work that you do, for example in school, which is designed to help you learn a particular skill.
Try working through the opening exercises in this chapter.
He took up piano lessons, combining standard classical exercises with his own attemptsat Gershwin.
Synonyms: task, problem, lesson, assignment More Synonyms of exercise
7. plural noun
Exercises is an official ceremony, in which people make speeches and present awards.
[US]
Vicky and Gary attended the graduation exercises at Columbia.
8. countable noun [usually singular]
If you describe an activity as an exercisein a particular quality or result, you mean that it has that quality or result, especially when it was not intended to have it.
Her morning was an exercise in indecision. She tried on everything in her closetbut couldn't decide what to wear.
As an exercise in stating the obvious, this could scarcely be faulted. [+ in]
Think what a waste of taxpayers' money the whole exercise was.
9. verb
If something exercises you or your mind, you think or talk about it a great deal, especially because you are worried or concerned about it.
This has been a major problem exercising the minds of scientists around the world. [VERB noun]
The proper role of appeal judges is an issue that has long exercised the finest legalminds. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: worry, concern, occupy, try More Synonyms of exercise
More Synonyms of exercise
exercise in British English
(ˈɛksəˌsaɪz)
verb(mainly tr)
1.
to put into use; employ
to exercise tact
2. (intransitive)
to take exercise or perform exercises; exert one's muscles, etc, esp in order to keep fit
3.
to practise using in order to develop or train
to exercise one's voice
4.
to perform or make proper use of
to exercise one's rights
5.
to bring to bear; exert
to exercise one's influence
6. (often passive)
to occupy the attentions of, esp so as to worry or vex
to be exercised about a decision
7. military
to carry out or cause to carry out, manoeuvres, simulated combat operations, etc
noun
8.
physical exertion, esp for the purpose of development, training, or keeping fit
9.
mental or other activity or practice, esp in order to develop a skill
10.
a set of movements, questions, tasks, etc, designed to train, improve, or test one's ability in a particular field
piano exercises
11.
a performance or work of art done as practice or to demonstrate a technique
12.
the performance of a function; discharge
the exercise of one's rights
the object of the exercise is to win
13. (sometimes plural) military
a manoeuvre or simulated combat operation carried out for training and evaluation
14. (usually plural) US and Canadian
a ceremony or formal routine, esp at a school or college
opening exercises
graduation exercises
15. gymnastics
a particular type of event, such as performing on the horizontal bar
Derived forms
exercisable (ˈexerˌcisable)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Old French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercēre to drill, from ex-1 + arcēre to ward off
exercise in American English
(ˈɛksərˌsaɪz)
noun
1.
active use or operation; employment
the exercise of an option
2.
performance (of duties, functions, etc.)
3.
activity for the purpose of training or developing the body or mind; systematic practice; esp., bodily exertion for the sake of health
4.
a regular series of specific movements designed to strengthen or develop some part of the body or some faculty
finger exercises for the piano
5.
a problem or group of written examples, passages, etc. to be studied and worked out for developing technical skill, as in mathematics, grammar, etc.
6. US; [pl.]
a set program of formal ceremonies, speeches, etc.
graduation exercises
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈexerˌcised or ˈexerˌcising
7.
to put into action; use; employ
to exercise self-control
8.
to carry out (duties, etc.); perform; fulfill
9. Rare
to use habitually; practice; train
used reflexively or in the passive
she was exercised in virtue
10.
to put (the body, a muscle, the mind, a skill, etc.) into use so as to develop ortrain
11.
to drill (troops)
12.
to engage the attention and energy of, esp. so as to worry, perplex, or harass
used esp. in the passive
greatly exercised about the decision
13.
to exert or have (influence, control, authority, etc.)
verb intransitive
14.
to take exercise; do exercises
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈpractice
Derived forms
exercisable (ˈexerˌcisable)
adjective
Word origin
ME & OFr exercice < L exercitium < pp. of exercere, to drive out (farm animals to work), hence drill, exercise < ex-, out + arcere, to enclose < IE base *areq-, to protect, enclose > Gr arkein
Examples of 'exercise' in a sentence
exercise
It is time to exercise this option.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The government should not be able to change laws by the exercise of prerogative power.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You meet where people exercise in groups.
The Sun (2016)
They make each other exercise playlists and talk percentage body fat and useful stretches.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Finding a way to exercise that fits neatly into your life is the key to enjoying it.
The Sun (2017)
They had invited me to observe their training exercise.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
No one does exercise on a beach.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The lungs and heart are also exercised by singing.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She found time out of the limelight, acupuncture and getting control of her exercise routine helped.
The Sun (2016)
The exercise involved about 20 people.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It has large sums of cash tied up in businesses over which it exercises little control.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
These exercises can also be done on one leg.
The Sun (2011)
It must have been one of the most demanding exercises in our art history.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Your daily commute is an option to introduce exercise.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The gyms make it easier for people to fit exercise into their daily routine.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You meet where a group of people exercise for fun.
The Sun (2009)
Food should nourish you and exercise make you feel strong.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Prisoners suffered from a lack of fresh air and almost no exercise or constructive activity.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Monmouth has also been involved in multinational maritime exercises and training with regional navies.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This machine can be used to exercise one leg at a time.
Lycholat, Tony Shape Your Body, Shape Your Life (1987)
They were used to exercising power if they found themselves in a position to do so.
Christianity Today (2000)
We are not being allowed to exercise that choice.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You will benefit from this whether you carry out exercises or just relax for a few minutes.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley Stay Well This Winter (1989)
Where he differs is in the specific massage and exercises practised on the gut.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Your new exercise programme is a useful tool for parties or small talk.
Sally Gunnell, Kathryn Leigh BE YOUR BEST: How Anyone can become Fit, Healthy and Confident (2002)
For such control to be exercised some sort of accountability will clearly be expected.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
People can become addicted to the biochemical changes brought about by heavy exercise.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
To work on the upper layers, you need to do specific abdominal exercises.
Sally Gunnell, Kathryn Leigh BE YOUR BEST: How Anyone can become Fit, Healthy and Confident (2002)
For the audience it began as an exercise in avant-garde arts and crafts.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Moreover, schools seem reluctant to provide and encourage daily exercise, whether passive or competitive.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
exercise
British English: exercise /ˈɛksəˌsaɪz/ NOUN
physical When you do exercise, you move your body so that you can keep healthy and strong.
Running and swimming are both good exercise.
American English: exercise
Arabic: رِيَاضَة
Brazilian Portuguese: exercício
Chinese: 练习
Croatian: tjelovježba
Czech: cvičení
Danish: øvelse
Dutch: lichaamsbeweging
European Spanish: ejercicio
Finnish: liikunta
French: exercice
German: körperliche Bewegung
Greek: άσκηση
Italian: esercizio
Japanese: 運動 身体
Korean: 운동
Norwegian: trening
Polish: ćwiczenie
European Portuguese: exercício
Romanian: exercițiu fizic
Russian: упражнение
Latin American Spanish: ejercicio
Swedish: övning
Thai: การออกกำลังกาย
Turkish: egzersiz
Ukrainian: зарядка
Vietnamese: tập thể dục
British English: exercise /ˈɛksəˌsaɪz/ NOUN
school work An exercise is something you do to practise what you have learnt.
We did a maths exercise.
American English: exercise
Arabic: مـُمَارَسَة
Brazilian Portuguese: exercício
Chinese: 习题
Croatian: vježba
Czech: cvičeníúkol
Danish: opgave
Dutch: oefening
European Spanish: ejercicio
Finnish: harjoitus
French: exercice
German: Übung
Greek: άσκηση
Italian: esercizio
Japanese: 練習
Korean: 연습문제
Norwegian: øvelse
Polish: ćwiczenia
European Portuguese: exercício
Romanian: exercițiu
Russian: упражнение
Latin American Spanish: ejercicio
Swedish: övning
Thai: แบบฝึกหัด
Turkish: alıştırma
Ukrainian: вправа
Vietnamese: bài tập
British English: exercise VERB
body When you exercise, you move your body energetically in order to get in shape and to remain healthy.
She exercises two or three times a week.
American English: exercise
Brazilian Portuguese: fazer exercício
Chinese: 锻炼
European Spanish: hacer ejercicio
French: faire du sport
German: Sport treiben
Italian: fare moto
Japanese: 運動する
Korean: 운동하다
European Portuguese: fazer exercício
Latin American Spanish: hacer ejercicio
British English: exercise VERB
authority, rights If you exercise something such as your authority, your rights, or a good quality, you use it or put it into effect.
They are merely exercising their right to free speech.
American English: exercise
Brazilian Portuguese: exercer
Chinese: 行使
European Spanish: ejercer
French: exercer
German: ausüben
Italian: esercitare
Japanese: 行使する
Korean: 권력을 행사하다
European Portuguese: exercer
Latin American Spanish: ejercer
All related terms of 'exercise'
exercise bike
An exercise bike is a special bicycle which does not move, so that you can exercise on it at home or at a gym .
exercise book
An exercise book is a small book that students use for writing in.
exercise yard
a piece of enclosed ground in a prison on which inmates can exercise in order to get fit and to remain healthy
ring exercise
any sequence of gymnastic movements carried out by a gymnast holding two rings suspended from the ceiling
exercise bench
(in a gymnasium ) a low table, which may be inclined , used for various exercises
exercise class
an organized meeting in a gymnasium led by an instructor and involving various exercises designed to keep participants fit
exercise habit
A habit is something that you do often or regularly.
exercise habits
A habit is something that you do often or regularly.
exercise price
the price at which the holder of a traded option may exercise his or her right to buy (or sell ) a security
exercise regime
A regime is a set of rules about food, exercise, or beauty that some people follow in order to stay healthy or attractive .
exercise video
a recorded television programme on which the presenter performs various keep-fit exercises , explaining how to perform each one, as the viewer joins in while watching
floor exercise
an event in which a gymnast performs, without apparatus , a routine involving a series of tumbling movements, acrobatic leaps , and balletic displays
breathing exercise
an exercise intended to promote effective and healthy breathing and breath control
exercise bicycle
any of various stationary exercise apparatuses that resemble a bicycle , usually having handlebars, a seat , pedals , a device for adjusting tension or resistance in the pedaling mechanism , and sometimes a single front wheel : used esp. to improve the cardiovascular system
exercise equipment
equipment that can be used for exercising , such as tread mills , rowing machines, etc
exercise freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
exercise judgment
Judgment is the ability to make sensible guesses about a situation or sensible decisions about what to do.
exercise programme
a programme detailing a range of physical exercises and the amount of time each exercise should be performed, used esp in gymnasiums , where they are typically tailored to individuals' needs
exercise routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
homework exercise
an exercise that is set as homework
isometric exercise
exercise or a program of exercises to strengthen specific muscles or shape the figure by pitting one muscle or part of the body against another or against an immovable object in a strong but motionless action, as by pressing the fist of one hand against the palm of the other or against a desk
physical exercise
movements and activities done to keep your body healthy or make it stronger
damage limitation exercise
an activity pursued to make the bad results of something as small as possible , when it is impossible to avoid bad results completely
public relations exercise
something which is done for the sake of attracting favourable publicity
striking price
in an option contract , the specified price at which a stock , commodity , etc. may be bought or sold ; the price at which an investor can exercise profitably a put or call
Chinese translation of 'exercise'
exercise
(ˈɛksəsaɪz)
n
(u) (= physical exertion) 运(運)动(動) (yùndòng)
(c) (= series of movements) 练(練)习(習) (liànxí) (个(個), gè)
(c) (Scol, Mus) 练(練)习(習) (liànxí) (个(個), gè)
(c) (Mil) 演习(習) (yǎnxí) (次, cì)
(s) (frm)[of authority etc]行使 (xíngshǐ)
vt
(= use)
[right, authority etc]行使 (xíngshǐ)
[patience, restraint, care etc]运(運)用 (yùnyòng)
[muscles]锻(鍛)炼(鍊) (duànliàn)
[mind]运(運)用 (yùnyòng)
[dog]遛 (liù)
vi
[person]锻(鍛)炼(鍊) (duànliàn)
to take or get exercise做健身活动(動) (zuò jiànshēn huódòng)
to do exercises (Sport) 锻(鍛)炼(鍊)身体(體) (duànliàn shēntǐ)
1 (verb)
Definition
to put into use
They are merely exercising their right to free speech.
Synonyms
put to use
use
Officials used loud-hailers to call for calm.
apply
The government appears to be applying the same principle.
employ
the approaches and methods we employed in this study
practise
exert
He exerted all his considerable charm to get the board to agree.
enjoy
wield
He remains chairman, but wields little power in the company.
utilize
Sound engineers utilize a range of techniques.
bring to bear
avail yourself of
2 (verb)
Definition
to practise using in order to develop or train
She exercises two or three times a week.
Synonyms
train
They have spent a year training for the race.
work out
I work out at a gym twice a week.
practise
practising for a gym display
drill
He drills the choir to a high standard.
keep fit
inure
do exercises
3 (verb)
Definition
to worry or vex
an issue that has long exercised the finest scientific minds
Synonyms
worry
‘Why didn't you tell us?’ – ‘Didn't want to worry you.’
concern
It concerned her that Bess was going out so much.
occupy
try
She really tried my patience.
trouble
Is anything troubling you?
pain
It pains me to think of an animal being in distress.
disturb
He had been disturbed by the news of the attack.
burden
We decided not to burden him with the news.
distress
I did not want to frighten or distress her.
preoccupy
a question that continues to preoccupy the more serious papers
agitate
The thought of them inheriting all these things agitated her.
perplex
vex
Everything about that man vexes me.
perturb
He didn't seem to be perturbed by the news.
1 (noun)
Definition
the use or practice of (a right, power, or authority)
Leadership does not rest on the exercise of force alone.
Synonyms
use
research related to microcomputers and their use in classrooms
practice
They advocate self-knowledge through the practice of yoga.
application
With repeated application of the product, the weeds were overcome.
operation
employment
the employment of the safety car
discharge
free of any influence which might affect the discharge of his duties
implementation
the implementation of the peace agreement
enjoyment
the enjoyment of equal freedom by all
accomplishment
fulfilment
I will allow no hesitation in the fulfilment of the reforms.
exertion
the exertion of legislative power
utilization
2 (noun)
Definition
physical exertion, esp. for training or keeping fit
Lack of exercise can lead to feelings of depression and exhaustion.
Synonyms
exertion
panting from the exertion of climbing the stairs
training
He had no formal training as a decorator.
She will soon be back in training for next year.
activity
There is an extraordinary level of activity in the market.
action
Her description of the action of poisons is very accurate.
work
This needs time and a lot of hard work.
labour
the labour of seeding, planting and harvesting
effort
A great deal of effort had been put into the planning.
movement
discipline
inner disciplines like transcendental meditation
toil
It is only toil which gives meaning to things.
physical activity
3 (noun)
Definition
a manoeuvre or simulated combat operation
a missile being used in a military exercise
Synonyms
manoeuvre
The camp was used for military manoeuvres.
campaign
The General's campaign against the militia has so far failed.
operation
a full-scale military operation
movement
I could watch your every movement.
deployment
4 (noun)
Definition
a set of movements, tasks, etc., designed to improve or test one's ability or fitness
Try working through the opening exercises in this chapter.
Synonyms
task
He had the unenviable task of breaking the bad news.
problem
lesson
Now let's look at lesson one.
assignment
The course involves written assignments and practical tests.
work
I used to take work home, but I don't do it any more.
schooling
practice
netball practice
schoolwork
Additional synonyms
in the sense of action
Her description of the action of poisons is very accurate.
Synonyms
effect,
working,
work,
force,
power,
process,
effort,
operation,
activity,
movement,
influence,
functioning,
motion,
exertion
in the sense of activity
Definition
the state of being active
There is an extraordinary level of activity in the market.
Synonyms
action,
work,
life,
labour,
movement,
energy,
exercise,
spirit,
enterprise,
motion,
bustle,
animation,
vigour,
hustle,
exertion,
hurly-burly,
liveliness,
activeness,
stir
in the sense of agitate
Definition
to excite, disturb, or trouble
The thought of them inheriting all these things agitated her.