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
The sessions include such topics as navigating longer lives; exercise and you; sleep, healthy eating and hydration; financial fitness; advance planning; healthy relationships; medication management; community engagement and fall prevention. — cleveland.com, "Summer comes alive through cardboard and paper: Olmsted Dates and Data," 23 Aug. 2019 The announcement is yet another example – such as banning plastic straws, false sustainability claims and corporate commitments that are far in the future – that seem to be more of a PR exercise than real attempts to move the needle. — Yossi Sheffi, The Conversation, "Removing mini-shampoos from hotel rooms won’t save the environment," 23 Aug. 2019 The blunt denial of a minor political exercise has triggered weekly protests in the city, with crowds reaching up to 60,000, the largest such demonstrations in almost a decade. — The Christian Science Monitor, "Natural motivators for plastic bans," 22 Aug. 2019 Yoga – ancient exercise and relaxation techniques that trace their roots to India – remains prohibited in Alabama schools. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, "Yoga remains prohibited in Alabama schools," 19 Aug. 2019 Images on the internet showed armored personnel carriers belonging to the People's Armed Police driving in a convoy Monday toward the site of the exercises. — Author: Vincent Thian, Yanan Wang, Anchorage Daily News, "Flights restart at Hong Kong airport as protesters apologize," 14 Aug. 2019 President Trump said Saturday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wanted to hold another summit after the conclusion of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises. — Grace Segers, CBS News, "Trump says Kim Jong Un offered "small apology" for missile testing and that he wants to meet," 10 Aug. 2019 In one of his average workout classes, Curtis Adams will lead his group through a series of exercises, including jogging, jackknives and cardio boxing. — Olivia Lloyd, sun-sentinel.com, "Exercise instructor redefines fitness for seniors," 1 Aug. 2019 But to try to avoid leaving a trail for anyone who might come looking for a missing American backpacker, John spent his time indoors, reading, praying, and practicing a punishing set of exercises. — Alex Perry, Outside Online, "The Last Days of John Allen Chau," 24 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
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. 2019 According to a person with knowledge of the case, the Orioles retained a right to appeal, but could not exercise it until the second arbitration process was complete. — Peter Schmuck, baltimoresun.com, "Judge upholds arbitration ruling that Orioles owe Nationals $296.8 million in MASN TV rights dispute," 23 Aug. 2019 Each task exercises a different assembly of circuits that correspond to the six depression subtypes Williams has hypothesized are key to guiding treatment. — Emily Underwood, Science | AAAS, "Brain scans could help personalize treatment for people who are depressed or suicidal," 20 Aug. 2019 The statement reads in part: For the last two months, large numbers of citizens have been exercising their fundamental right of assembly. — Alexandra Ossola, Quartz, "With Trump silent, Canada and the EU urge de-escalation in Hong Kong," 18 Aug. 2019 Unfortunately for the company, U.S. District Court Judge Ronnie White refuses to exercise jurisdiction under the Class Action Fairness Act, despite at least 100 municipalities in Missouri with a stake in the outcome. — Eriq Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Netflix Sent to State Court to Fight Missouri Cities on Fees," 6 Aug. 2019 Perhaps this is because cats are more capable of exercising themselves. — Daphne Miller, chicagotribune.com, "A new meaning for ‘sick as a dog’? Your pet’s health may tell you something about your own," 11 July 2019 At times, Stinson was accused of exercising too much influence over former Superintendent Roger Cuevas, according to a 2010 Miami Herald article. — Colleen Wright, miamiherald, "Former Miami-Dade School Board member, 81, bewilders community after bizarre Sunday," 3 June 2019 In a paper published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers took sweat samples from seven patients with different types of epilepsy across a range of activities, such as resting, exercising, or having a seizure. — Douglas Main, National Geographic, "Dogs can detect an odor humans emit during epileptic seizures," 28 Mar. 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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