Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » exercise

exercise

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

To exercise is to engage in physical activity for the purposes of working your body to stay slim and healthy. (noun)

An example of exercise is going to the gym and lifting weights.

To exercise is to use something or to engage in physical activity done in order to stay healthy or to cause someone else to engage in physical activity in order to stay healthy or to put into action. (verb)

An example of exercise is when you use good judgment.
An example of exercise is when you go out and ride your bike.
An example of exercise is when you take your dog running.
An example oif exercise is when you implement your option to purchase a house that you have been renting.

See exercise in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

active use or operation; employment: the exercise of an option
performance (of duties, functions, etc.)
activity for the purpose of training or developing the body or mind; systematic practice; esp., bodily exertion for the sake of health
a regular series of specific movements designed to strengthen or develop some part of the body or some faculty: finger exercises for the piano
a problem or group of written examples, passages, etc. to be studied and worked out for developing technical skill, as in mathematics, grammar, etc.
☆ a set program of formal ceremonies, speeches, etc.: graduation exercises

transitive verb exercised, exercising

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

intransitive verb

to take exercise; do exercises

Related Forms:

exercisable adjective

See exercise in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(ĕkˈsər-sīzˌ)

noun

An act of employing or putting into play; use: the free exercise of intellect; the exercise of an option.
The discharge of a duty, function, or office.
Activity that requires physical or mental exertion, especially when performed to develop or maintain fitness: took an hour of vigorous daily exercise at a gym.
A task, problem, or other effort performed to develop or maintain fitness or increase skill: a piano exercise; a memory exercise.
An activity having a specified aspect: an undertaking that was an exercise in futility.
exercises A program that includes speeches, presentations, and other ceremonial activities performed before an audience: graduation exercises.

verb ex·er·cised, ex·er·cis·ing, ex·er·cis·es

verb, transitive

To put into play or operation; employ: Proceed, but exercise caution.
To bring to bear; exert: “The desire to be re-elected exercises a strong brake on independent courage” (John F. Kennedy).
a. To subject to practice or exertion in order to train, strengthen, or develop: exercise the back muscles; exercise the memory.
b. To put through exercises: exercise a platoon. See Synonyms at practice.
a. To carry out the functions of: exercise the role of disciplinarian.
b. To execute the terms of (a stock option, for example).
a. To absorb the attentions of, especially by worry or anxiety.
b. To stir to anger or alarm; upset: an injustice that exercised the whole community.