ex·er·cise
ˈek-sər-ˌsīz 
1
a
: 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
2
a
: 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
H. S. Ashmore5
a
: 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
exercised; exercising
1
2
a
: 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
3
a
: to engage the attention and effort of
b
: to cause anxiety, alarm, or indignation in
the issues exercising voters this year
: to take exercise
Synonyms
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 WebJulia Ries, SELF, 12 June 2024
The workshops are as follows: Workshop 1: Exploring Emotion Processing Through Journaling
The first workshop, focused on journaling, is interactive and highlights benefits, techniques, exercises for processing emotions, and common challenges seen in the journaling process.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024
Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 13 June 2024
Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
—Vivian Barrett, The Arizona Republic, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for exercise 
Noun
Things like warm temps, stress, exercise, pregnancy, menopause, or even having a health condition like hyperthyroidism can all factor into how wet things get.
—Julia Ries, SELF, 12 June 2024
The workshops are as follows: Workshop 1: Exploring Emotion Processing Through Journaling
The first workshop, focused on journaling, is interactive and highlights benefits, techniques, exercises for processing emotions, and common challenges seen in the journaling process.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024
Verb
Federal judges have exercised some flexibility and allowed a long time frame for offenders to make their restitution payments.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 13 June 2024
Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
—Vivian Barrett, The Arizona Republic, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for exercise
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exercise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to exercise
Dictionary Entries Near exercise
Cite this Entry
“Exercise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exercise. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exercise
1 of 2 noun
ex·er·cise
ˈek-sər-ˌsīz
1
: the act of putting into use, action, or practice
the exercise of power
2
: bodily activity for the sake of physical fitness
get plenty of fresh air and exercise
3
: something done to develop skill
arithmetic exercises
finger exercises
4
plural
: a program of songs, speeches, and announcements of awards and honors
graduation exercises
exercise
2 of 2 verb
exercised; exercising
1
: to put into use : exert
exercise patience
exercise authority
2
a
: to use again and again in order to strengthen or develop
exercise a muscle
b
: to put through exercises : give exercise to
exercise the dog
3
: to worry, alarm, or annoy about something
the people were exercised about pollution
4
: to take exercise
exercises every day
exerciser
noun
Medical Definition
exercise
1 of 2 noun
ex·er·cise
ˈek-sər-ˌsīz
1
: regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ
2
: bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness
exercise
2 of 2 verb
exercised; exercising
1
: to use repeatedly in order to strengthen or develop (as a muscle)
2
: to put through exercises
: to take exercise
Legal Definition
exercise
1 of 2 noun
ex·er·cise
ˈek-sər-ˌsīz
1
: the discharge of an official function or professional occupation
2
: the act or an instance of carrying out the terms of an agreement (as an option)
exercise
2 of 2 transitive verb
exercised; exercising
1
: to make effective in action
exercising power
2
: to bring to bear
exercise influence
3
: to implement the terms of (as an option)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share