exercise
noun
ex·​er·​cise
| \ ˈek-sər-ˌsīz
\
\
Definition of exercise
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
2a
: 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
5a
: 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
verb
exercised;
exercising
Definition of exercise (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: 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
2a
: 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
3a
: to engage the attention and effort of
b
: to cause anxiety, alarm, or indignation in
the issues exercising voters this year
: to take exercise
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Other Words from exercise
Verb
exercisable
\ ˈek-​sər-​ˌsī-​zə-​bəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms for exercise
Synonyms: Noun
activity, conditioning, exertion
Synonyms: Verb
apply, exert, ply, put out, wield
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Examples of exercise in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
After the Cold War, these kinds of exercises typically ended with either the U.S. claiming a decisive victory, or a nuclear Armageddon. — The Atlantic, "Coming Soon to a Battlefield: Robots That Can Kill," 3 Sep. 2019 While performing each move, the name of the exercise is displayed on the gym mirror behind her. — Georgia Slater, PEOPLE.com, "Rebel Wilson Shows Off Her Workout Regimen: 'Gotta Keep Up That Stamina!'," 30 Aug. 2019 And there’s nothing diet or exercise can do to touch it. — Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, "A Doctor Told This New Mom to Lose Weight—but It Turned Out She Had Cancer," 28 Aug. 2019 Focus on health, diet and exercise, making sure to make adjustments that will build strength, not wear you down emotionally, physically and mentally. — Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, "Horoscopes: Aug. 24, 2019," 24 Aug. 2019 While the Man of Steel seems to be having fun, the same can’t be said for Oliver, who doesn’t understand the point of this exercise. — Chancellor Agard, EW.com, "Watch Superman race Oliver around the Smallville farm in The Flash deleted scene," 23 Aug. 2019 But Activewear brands today, such as Outdoor Voices, have shifted their brand focus away from the aesthetic benefits of exercise. — Cory Stieg, refinery29.com, "Lululemon's Founder Says Technology Made Us "Lazy & Fat"," 25 July 2019 Johnson is a firm advocate of the health benefits of exercise and is often seen jogging and biking around London. — Gregory Katz And Natasha Livingstone, chicagotribune.com, "5 things you may not know about Boris Johnson, the UK’s next prime minister," 23 July 2019 Aasen was 46 years old when her husband suffered a heart attack at 49, and doctors told him it was brought on by a lack of exercise. — Megan Woodward, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Fitness: Yvonne Aasen is ‘an inspiration to keep on running'," 23 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Building a workforce was also important, but the overarching, overriding concern was preparing citizens to exercise their rights and responsibilities. — Danielle Allen, Twin Cities, "Danielle Allen: If we care about democracy, we need to rebuild civics education in our schools," 8 Sep. 2019 After city and union representatives met 19 times without reaching a new contract earlier this year, the union exercised its right to call for arbitration in July. — Joshua Fechter, ExpressNews.com, "Federal judge rules San Antonio did not violate fire union’s free speech rights during charter campaign," 3 Sep. 2019 In the interview, the mayor once again argued his belief that Oregon’s liberal free speech laws prevent him from keeping people from showing up in Portland to exercise their First Amendment rights — regardless of the costs or consequences. — oregonlive.com, "Portland mayor: Right-wing demonstrators could not articulate purpose, showed ‘ultimate cynicism’," 19 Aug. 2019 This will give them a chance to exercise this innate behavior with a safe source of nonpoisonous plant life. — David Shultz, Science | AAAS, "Mystery solved? Why cats eat grass," 8 Aug. 2019 Naming private citizens & their employers, targeting them for political views and exercising 1st Amendment rights. — Danielle Garrand, CBS News, "Joaquin Castro faces backlash for sharing top San Antonio Trump donors in tweet," 7 Aug. 2019 Today, the charming, witty 88-year-old Collins is enjoying his retirement in Florida, exercising and painting. — Matt Blitz, Popular Mechanics, "Michael Collins Is Ready To Go To Mars," 20 July 2019 Meanwhile, internal emails show that dealers tangled with Ford headquarters in September 2016, challenging whether the company was exercising good faith and expressed frustration over endless repairs. — Freep.com, "FREE PRESS INVESTIGATION: OUT OF GEAR Ford knew Focus, Fiesta models had flawed transmission, sold them anyway," 11 July 2019 Despite the ban, Zimbabweans decided to exercise their constitutional right regardless – and were met with a display of disproportionate and excessive force by the police. — Evan Mawarire, Time, "Violence in Zimbabwe Is Escalating. But We Won't Stop Fighting for Our Freedoms," 23 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exercise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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