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. ☆ a set program of formal ceremonies, speeches, etc. graduation exercises

Etymology: 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

transitive verb exercised -·cised′, exercising -·cis′·ing

1. to put into action; use; employ to exercise self-control
2. to carry out (duties, etc.); perform; fulfill
3. Now Rare to use habitually; practice; train: used reflexively or in the passive she was exercised in virtue
4. to put (the body, a muscle, the mind, a skill, etc.) into use so as to develop or train
5. to drill (troops)
6. 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
7. to exert or have (influence, control, authority, etc.)

intransitive verb