exercise

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English[edit]

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Etymology[edit]

From Old French exercise, from Latin exercitium

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

exercise (plural exercises)

  1. Any activity designed to develop or hone a skill or ability.
    The teacher told us the next exercise is to write an essay.
    • Spenser
      desire of knightly exercise
    • John Locke
      an exercise of the eyes and memory
  2. Physical activity intended to improve strength and fitness.
  3. A setting in action or practicing; employment in the proper mode of activity; exertion; application; use.
    • Jefferson
      exercise of the important function confided by the constitution to the legislature
    • Tennyson
      O we will walk this world, / Yoked in all exercise of noble end.
  4. The performance of an office, ceremony, or duty.
    • Addison
      Lewis refused even those of the church of England […] the public exercise of their religion.
    • Shakespeare
      to draw him from his holy exercise
  5. (obsolete) That which gives practice; a trial; a test.
    • Milton
      Patience is more oft the exercise / Of saints, the trial of their fortitude.

Alternative forms[edit]

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

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Translations to be checked

Verb[edit]

exercise (third-person singular simple present exercises, present participle exercising, simple past and past participle exercised)

  1. To exert for the sake of training or improvement; to practice in order to develop.
    to exercise troops or horses; to exercise one's brain with a puzzle
  2. To perform physical activity for health or training.
    I exercise at the gym every day.
  3. To use (a right, an option, etc.); to put into practice.
    The tenant exercised its option to renew the tenancy.
    She is going to exercise her right to vote.
    • Bible, Ezekiel xxii. 29
      The people of the land have used oppression and exercised robbery.
  4. (obsolete) To set in action; to cause to act, move, or make exertion; to give employment to.
    • Bible, Acts xxiv. 16
      Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence.
  5. (obsolete) To occupy the attention and effort of; to task; to tax, especially in a painful or vexatious manner; harass; to vex; to worry or make anxious.
    exercised with pain
    • Milton
      Where pain of unextinguishable fire / Must exercise us without hope of end.

Translations[edit]

External links[edit]

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