exercise
1 of 2noun
ex·er·cise ˈek-sər-ˌsīz 
1
a
: the act of bringing into play or realizing in action : use
the exercise of self-control
b
: the discharge of an official function or professional occupation
exercise of his judicial duties
c
: the act or an instance of carrying out the terms of an agreement (such as an option) —often used attributively
an option's exercise price
2
a
: regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ
b
: bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness
trying to get more exercise
3
: something performed or practiced in order to develop, improve, or display a specific capability or skill
arithmetic exercises
vocal exercises
4
: a performance or activity having a strongly marked secondary or ulterior aspect
party politics has always been an exercise in compromise
H. S. Ashmore
H. S. Ashmore5
a
: a maneuver, operation, or drill carried out for training and discipline
naval exercises
b
exercises plural : a program including speeches, announcements of awards and honors, and various traditional practices of secular or religious character
commencement exercises
exercise
2 of 2verb
exercised; exercising
transitive verb
1
a
: to make effective in action : use
didn't exercise good judgment
b
: to bring to bear : exert
exercise influence
c
: to implement the terms of
exercise an option
2
a
: to use repeatedly in order to strengthen or develop
exercise a muscle
b
: to train by drills and maneuvers
exercise troops
c
: to put through exercises
exercise the horses
3
a
: to engage the attention and effort of
b
: to cause anxiety, alarm, or indignation in
the issues exercising voters this year
intransitive verb
: to take exercise
exercisable
ˈek-sər-ˌsī-zə-bəl
adjective 
Synonyms
Noun
- activity
- conditioning
- exertion
Verb
- apply
- exert
- ply
- put out
- wield
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun Get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Swimming is my favorite kind of exercise. She did stretching exercises before her daily run. Do the writing exercise at the end of each chapter. The negotiations have gotten nowhere, and I see no reason to continue with this pointless exercise. Verb It's important to exercise every day. He eats right and exercises regularly. Bicycle riding exercises the leg muscles. The stable boys exercise the horses every morning. He didn't exercise good judgment. We just need to exercise common sense. She has been reluctant to exercise her authority. Exercise caution when using these chemicals. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Kelly Wilkinson, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Sep. 2022 Exercise definitely helps to reduce stress, which could be part of it, but the research is mixed and some people find heavy exercise to be a trigger—so listen to your body. Beth Krietsch, SELF, 7 Sep. 2022 As Monbiot, a British environmental writer and advocate, knows better than most, these difficulties make growing even a small supplement to our diet an uncertain and time-consuming exercise. Tim Flannery, The New York Review of Books, 7 Sep. 2022 Additionally, using a lesser weight in this exercise compared to other lifts where there's more opportunity to load up the movement can actually be a good thing. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 7 Sep. 2022 Nevertheless, although Hill certainly puts in a few sly tips of the hat to canonical and cult favorites and is clearly enjoying exploiting the audience’s expectations of the genre, Dead for a Dollar isn’t an empty nostalgia exercise. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 Among other things, this exercise gave a sense of just how many mediocre kiddie entertainments have been churned out in recent decades. Will Sloan, The New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2022 Numerous scientific studies have shown moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise is good for combating anxiety and depression. Melissa Mahtani, CNN, 6 Sep. 2022 Neither was ever rejected by the British people in that quaint exercise in popular democracy known as a general election. Gerard Baker, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 16 Aug. 2022 During the upcoming holiday, Townsend said visitors should be mindful of their neighbors, exercise patience and follow safety regulations. Olivia Alexander, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2022 In addition, those who exercise regularly tend to get fewer infections. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 25 Aug. 2022 Murray’s return could allow the Chargers to exercise Van Noy’s versatility and boost their depth on the edge. Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2022 And some states significantly limit the level of nonenforcement that lower jurisdictions can exercise, Politico reports. Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Aug. 2022 Make time to eat healthily, exercise and sleep enough. Pascal Bachmann, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 The Diocese of Providence announced Thursday that Santilli was placed on administrative leave and will not exercise public ministry or reside on church property pending the outcome of an investigation. BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 Done properly, the high knees exercise uses the calves, glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and hip flexors as primary muscle groups. Milo F. Bryant, Men's Health, 9 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
And in the mix comes great exercise and a fun sport. Kelly Wilkinson, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Sep. 2022 Exercise definitely helps to reduce stress, which could be part of it, but the research is mixed and some people find heavy exercise to be a trigger—so listen to your body. Beth Krietsch, SELF, 7 Sep. 2022 As Monbiot, a British environmental writer and advocate, knows better than most, these difficulties make growing even a small supplement to our diet an uncertain and time-consuming exercise. Tim Flannery, The New York Review of Books, 7 Sep. 2022 Additionally, using a lesser weight in this exercise compared to other lifts where there's more opportunity to load up the movement can actually be a good thing. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 7 Sep. 2022 Nevertheless, although Hill certainly puts in a few sly tips of the hat to canonical and cult favorites and is clearly enjoying exploiting the audience’s expectations of the genre, Dead for a Dollar isn’t an empty nostalgia exercise. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 Among other things, this exercise gave a sense of just how many mediocre kiddie entertainments have been churned out in recent decades. Will Sloan, The New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2022 Numerous scientific studies have shown moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise is good for combating anxiety and depression. Melissa Mahtani, CNN, 6 Sep. 2022 Neither was ever rejected by the British people in that quaint exercise in popular democracy known as a general election. Gerard Baker, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 Verb
But as well as pursuing his own gains, he is also dedicated to encouraging other people of all fitness levels exercise more, and frequently shares workouts from his wellness app Centr on social media. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 16 Aug. 2022 During the upcoming holiday, Townsend said visitors should be mindful of their neighbors, exercise patience and follow safety regulations. Olivia Alexander, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2022 In addition, those who exercise regularly tend to get fewer infections. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 25 Aug. 2022 Murray’s return could allow the Chargers to exercise Van Noy’s versatility and boost their depth on the edge. Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2022 And some states significantly limit the level of nonenforcement that lower jurisdictions can exercise, Politico reports. Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Aug. 2022 Make time to eat healthily, exercise and sleep enough. Pascal Bachmann, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 The Diocese of Providence announced Thursday that Santilli was placed on administrative leave and will not exercise public ministry or reside on church property pending the outcome of an investigation. BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 Done properly, the high knees exercise uses the calves, glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and hip flexors as primary muscle groups. Milo F. Bryant, Men's Health, 9 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercitare to train, exercise, frequentative of exercēre to train, occupy, from ex- + arcēre to enclose, hold off — more at ark
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing exercise
Kids Definition
exercise 1 of 2
noun
ex·er·cise ˈek-sər-ˌsīz
1
: the act of putting into use, action, or practice
the exercise of patience
2
: bodily activity for the sake of improving physical fitness
3
: a school lesson or other task performed to develop skill : practice work : drill
math exercises
4
exercises plural : a program of songs, speeches, and announcements of awards and honors
graduation exercises
exercise
2 of 2verb
exercised; exercising
1
: to put into use : exert
He's exercising his authority.
2
: to take part in bodily activity for the sake of improving physical fitness
3
: to use again and again to train or develop
exercise a muscle
Medical Definition
exercise 1 of 2
noun
ex·er·cise ˈek-sər-ˌsīz
1
: regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ
2
: bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness
exercise
2 of 2verb
exercised; exercising
transitive verb
1
: to use repeatedly in order to strengthen or develop (as a muscle)
2
: to put through exercises
intransitive verb
: to take exercise
Legal Definition
exercise 1 of 2
noun
ex·er·cise ˈek-sər-ˌsīz
1
: the discharge of an official function or professional occupation
2
: the act or an instance of carrying out the terms of an agreement (as an option)
exercise
2 of 2transitive verb
exercised; exercising
1
: to make effective in action
exercising power
2
: to bring to bear
exercise influence
3
: to implement the terms of (as an option)
exercises 1 of 2
noun
1
as in practices
something done over and over in order to develop skill a young piano student dutifully going through the standard finger exercises Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- practices
- drills
- lessons
- workouts
- trainings
- routines
- practises
- homeworks
- assignments
- refreshers
- brushups
- reviews
2
as in uses
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose the observation that the best exercise for losing weight is the exercise of one's ability to say no to food Synonyms & Similar Words
- uses
- applications
- usages
- operations
- plays
- employments
- exertions
- reuses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disuses
- nonuses
exercises
2 of 2verb
1
as in exerts
to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively a senator who consistently exercises his clout in Congress to get pork barrel projects for his state Synonyms & Similar Words
- uses
- exerts
- applies
- plies
- wields
- utilizes
- employs
- abuses
- puts out
- misuses
- misapplies
2
as in practises
to do over and over so as to become skilled the only way to exercise your writing skills is to do more writing Synonyms & Similar Words
- practices
- practises
- drills
- runs over
- repeats
- rehearses
- studies
- refines
- grooves
- perfects
- reviews
- prepares (for)
- trains (with)
- points (for)
- works (at or on)
3
as in applies
to put into action or service commended the firefighters for exercising really good judgment in that emergency Synonyms & Similar Words
- uses
- applies
- utilizes
- exploits
- harnesses
- employs
- operates
- draws on
- draws upon
- brings to bear
- works
- handles
- manipulates
- wields
- makes use of
- runs
- directs
- reuses
- recycles
- cannibalizes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignores
- neglects
- misuses
- misapplies
4
as in alarms
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy the slightest change in travel plans is enough to get him all exercised Synonyms & Similar Words
- alarms
- concerns
- worries
- distracts
- bothers
- disturbs
- distresses
- discomforts
- haunts
- plagues
- distempers
- upsets
- discomposes
- flurries
- agitates
- angers
- disquiets
- unsettles
- derails
- annoys
- undoes
- ails
- rattles
- freaks (out)
- alarums
- weirds out
- hagrides
- confuses
- frazzles
- unhinges
- dismays
- perturbs
- irritates
- discountenances
- aggravates
- nettles
- chivies
- chivvies
- bugs
- fusses
- embarrasses
- exasperates
- harries
- puts off
- peeves
- discourages
- puts out
- gets
- grates
- abashes
- harasses
- mortifies
- disconcerts
- flusters
- riles
- piques
- chafes
- bedevils
- frets
- galls
- jars
- pesters
- vexes
- irks
- nonpluses
- dispirits
- demoralizes
- nonplusses
- fazes
- discomfits
- shakes up
- confounds
- disheartens
- daunts
- unnerves
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- composes
- calms
- soothes
- tranquilizes
- quiets
- alleviates
- settles
- tranquillizes
- allays
- assuages
- propitiates
- conciliates
- mollifies
- appeases
- pacifies
- placates