exercise
exercise Lexical Profile
exercise Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Physical activity carried out to sustain or improve health, strength, and fitness.
"Regular cardiovascular exercise is essential for maintaining heart health."
A specific task, problem, or set of movements designed to practice, test, or develop a skill.
"The teacher assigned three grammar exercises at the end of the chapter."
The active use, application, or putting into effect of a faculty, right, power, or principle.
"Voting in elections is a fundamental exercise of democratic citizenship."
American Formal public ceremonies or proceedings, such as a graduation or academic commencement (usually used in the plural).
"The university held its annual commencement exercises on the main quad."
• verb
To engage in physical activity in order to sustain or improve health and fitness, or to subject a body part or animal to such activity.
"She exercises at the local community center four mornings a week."
To use, apply, or put into effect a faculty, right, power, or quality.
"Drivers must exercise caution when navigating icy mountain roads."
To occupy the thoughts of someone in a worrying, perplexing, or anxious manner.
"The rising cost of housing has greatly exercised local policymakers."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'exercise' (physical activity or the use of a skill) with its near-homophone 'exorcise' (to drive out an evil spirit).
• Rhymes for exercise
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 14th century from Old French 'exercice', from Latin 'exercitium' ('training, practice'), derived from 'exercere' ('to keep busy, drive on, or train'), formed from 'ex-' ('out, thoroughly') and 'arcere' ('to enclose or restrain').