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 Web
Fred Sassani, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
What kind of exercise is best during chilly weather?
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
The Austin school district is warning residents who get a call from school police to exercise caution after reports have surfaced of spammers posing as district police employees.
—Keri Heath, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exercise 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Be unstable: Use your entire body, and target your core, by performing exercises that engage stabilizing muscles.
—Fred Sassani, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
What kind of exercise is best during chilly weather?
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
The move, disclosed in an SEC filing on Friday, makes good on a plan detailed by the company earlier this month for Iger to exercise an option to sell shares.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
The Austin school district is warning residents who get a call from school police to exercise caution after reports have surfaced of spammers posing as district police employees.
—Keri Heath, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exercise
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 28 Nov. 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)
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