1mass noun Activity requiring physical effort, carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness.

2An activity carried out for a specific purpose.

1. 2.1count noun A task set to practise or test a skill.
   there are exercises at the end of each book to check comprehension

   Example sentencesExamples

   • If necessary, people should practise some eye protection exercises or use eyedrops if their eyes are tired, Yu said.
   • The classes varied from week to week in an attempt to give us a flavour of different exercises and skills.
   • The active involvement of parents in discussions and skill building exercises were key elements of the course.
   • As this is an exercise for increasing skill, don't set the jumps too high or they'll become a barrier to learning.
   • Pelvic floor exercises have been successfully used since 1948.
   • Once in, we practised a few exercises (compass, orientation, cramp removal) and began our descent.
   • Oh and yes, vocal warm-up exercises and warm tea help too!
   • Simple breathing exercises when practiced regularly can reverse a lifetime of bad breathing.
   • This Is Only A Test Simulations and tabletop exercises help CSOs practice and plan the best response for worst-case scenarios.
   • Other techniques used in sports psychology to enhance performance include imagery, cognitive coping skills and relaxation exercises.
   • Study group volunteers were given training to learn and perform slow breathing exercises for 15 days.
   • After a multitude of prolonged tests and diving exercises, he was put back on active duty.
   • Relaxation and breathing exercises also help reduce anxiety symptoms.
   • During these three weeks, the operators learn how to operate the RWS, and participate in a series of practical exercises to apply these skills.
   • Fans filled the Nat Lofthouse stand to watch the team practise passing and throwing exercises.
   • So it is only logical to practise oceans of exercises to master the tricks of gaining high marks.
   • Today's teachers are told that drill-and-practice exercises on basic skills are not as important as was previously thought.
   • The hands are huge, but topped with long, fussy fingernails, and he practises vocal exercises to raise his voice.
   • Sit in the middle of your yard and practice some deep breathing exercises.
   • There is plenty of prose to explain the ideas, as well as many exercises to test what the student has learned.

   Synonyms

   task, piece of work, problem, assignment, piece of school work, piece of homework

   Music étude
2. 2.2often exercises A military drill or training manoeuvre.
   training exercises with the Kuwaiti army

   Example sentencesExamples

   • A severe fuel shortage has limited the country's ability to conduct military training exercises.
   • This is borne out by the results of research and experience in military training exercises.
   • On field training exercises, combat soldiers will be out of touch (never mind sight) from loved ones for days.
   • The American military has rapidly created new training exercises and manuals to incorporate lessons learned from deployments since the end of the Cold War.
   • They were sent to a Royal Marines training camp for military exercises to stimulate team spirit, foster leadership skills and sharpen their ability to make swift decisions.
   • Furthermore, squadrons frequently are attached to the Royal Marine Commandos to support their military exercises.
   • Money simply had not been spent in Finland prior to 1939 for many large-scale military training exercises.
   • American army and navy forces will be holding joint training exercises in the Niger delta area.
   • State officers will conduct joint training exercises and coordinate radio communications.
   • Indeed, in February the US conducted its first ever joint military exercises with Indian troops in India.
   • Pangnirtung was selected as the ideal spot for an exercise to test army skills in a remote area.
   • He provided tactical interrogation training support to the Regiment during field training exercises.
   • The event originated in Hong Kong in 1981 as a military training exercise for the Gurkhas.
   • During the last decade, there had been dramatically fewer field drills and exercises.
   • His deployments, coupled with training and regular field exercises, mean that he has been away from home a lot, like most soldiers nowadays.
   • Amongst other exercises, the navy practised the firing of cruise missiles, long-range rockets and torpedoes.
   • How often during training exercises or combat operations have we seen commanders able to employ only a fraction of the combat power in their command?
   • When we first arrived, the road would be closed at times for military training exercises.
   • The new training facilities enable the crew to practise vital exercises without taking out the helicopter, which costs $3,000 an hour to fly.
   • Lt Cdr Tully said the annual three-day exercises were designed to test a ship's ability to operate both as a single unit and as part of a task force.

   Synonyms

   manoeuvres, operations

   war games, field day
3. 2.3exercisesNorth American Ceremonies.
   Bar Mitzvah exercises

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He returned to the topic of education in an address he gave in various versions at graduation exercises in the 1860s.
   • When I finished high school, I didn't go to graduation exercises, I went straight to serve in the army.

3mass noun The use or application of a faculty, right, or process.

1Use or apply (a faculty, right, or process)

2no object Engage in physical activity to sustain or improve health and fitness.

1. 2.1with object Exert (part of the body) to promote or improve muscular strength.
   raise your knee to exercise the upper leg muscles

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Usually the circuit is completed twice so that each side of the body is exercised equally, and to enable you to try the second circuit at a higher level.
   • Swimming is a good option: the joints are exercised but your body weight is supported by the water, making injury less likely.
   • For the last 18 months the children have been exercising their legs, arms and even pulling faces in their gym class with a difference.
   • The movements are almost geometrical and use parts of the human anatomy not usually exercised in day-to-day activities.
   • It's great to use your brain, but it's important to exercise your muscles as well.
   • If you spend most of your free time in your house, chances are you aren't exercising your body - or your mind - enough.
   • There is also growing support for the notion that exercising the body and the brain tend to preserve neurons.
   • Beyond exercising his body, he has been working on his New York accent too for the show.
   • He exercises different muscle groups each day, alternating between biceps and triceps and chest and stomach.
   • Almost every part of the body is exercised, right down to flexing the toes!
   • Two other key elements of the program, exercise your body and your brain.
   • By the end of this session there were very few happy faces, as Mark Scanlon and Desi Foley fully exercised their legs - displaying immense strength, power and speed.
   • It felt wonderful exercising my body in this new way and little by little I began to gain some confidence as I acquired an understanding of a few techniques.
   • I have to say it is indicative of a certain section of society who spend so much time exercising their bodies and so little their minds.
   • This is why bodybuilders rarely exercise a body part (other than abs) more than once a week.
   • These turning and stretching movements work to release tension and therefore reduce stress - allowing every part of the body to be exercised without pain.
   • Not everyone can or wants to spend time exercising their body.
   • Rather spend your money on your health: get a gym membership, hire a personal trainer or take an adventure holiday that exercises your body and excites your mind.
   • The new steps allow her to walk unaided into the water, where she can exercise her arms and legs while lying on a special mat to keep her afloat.
   • So much emphasis is placed on exercising the body these days, but very little thought is given to enhancing the senses.
2. 2.2with object Cause (an animal) to take exercise.
   she exercised her dogs before breakfast

   Example sentencesExamples

   • With many country footpaths and bridleways closed because of the epidemic, owners are finding it more difficult to exercise their pets.
   • A couple of weeks ago, Ann was out exercising her horse on the family farm when she was thrown suddenly by the animal.
   • But tourism officials say other chalet owners specifically book because an area of the sands is available to exercise their pets.
   • The attack occurred when the claimant was off duty and exercising the dog on the fields adjacent to his house.
   • Due to failing health, many owners are no longer able to exercise their dogs, which is where the trust would like News Shopper readers to step in.
   • A Sunday newspaper reported that the incident happened in July when Anne, 52, and her husband were exercising the dog.
   • Sloping downward now, the street skirts the park where the professional dog walker exercises different pets each morning.
   • Local dog owners used the canal bank to exercise their pets.
   • However, NFH members say they will simply be exercising their horses and hounds and insist that the dogs will be called off if they start chasing a fox.
   • Dog-owners in the New Forest fear they will be prevented from freely exercising their pets if a new code of conduct comes into force.
   • I was exercising a horse early one morning when she suddenly reared and fell over backward.
   • A friend has been exercising her horse, Izzie, which is kept at stables in Highworth.
   • You can always tell when somewhere suburban is pretty because it's full of people exercising their dogs and looking the other way when they foul the grass.
   • Stables also regularly use the wide expanse of shoreline to exercise their horses.
   • Over the years many local residents have been using the disused track for walks, exercising their horses and dogs, jogging or just to admire the natural beauty of the area.
   • There are various ways to exercise dogs and horses and various ways to kill foxes.
   • Dog walkers, who exercise their pets in the fields, have complained to the police, claiming substances at the site have poisoned their pets.
   • When Margaret called on Molly, she found her propped up in bed, staring out the window at the new riding ring where several old-timers were exercising the horses.
   • As with all juniors he would have started mucking out stalls and exercising the horses in the early hours of the morning.
   • Park rangers patrol Bradford parks every day and so do police - even dog handlers exercise their dogs there.

3Occupy the thoughts of; worry or perplex.