Definition

1. Noun:

   • Physical activity for health or training: The activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit or improve health.
   • A task for skill development: A specific task, drill, or problem solved to develop a skill or understanding, often as part of study or training.
   • The use or application of something: The act of using a right, power, faculty, or ability.
   • A ceremony or formal event: (Often plural) A formal ceremony involving speeches and processions, especially at an academic institution.

2. Verb:

   • To engage in physical activity: To perform physical activity to strengthen the body or maintain health.
   • To use or apply: To put something (like a right, power, or skill) into use or action.
   • To train or practice: To perform a repeated activity to learn or perfect a skill.
   • To engage the mind or attention: To give a task to the mind; to occupy or challenge mentally.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Regular exercise is essential for good health.
  • The textbook includes an exercise at the end of each chapter.
  • The wise exercise of power is a mark of good leadership.
  • She attended the graduation exercises.

• Verb:

  • It is important to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
  • Citizens should exercise their right to vote.
  • He exercises his memory by learning a new word daily.
  • This complex problem will exercise your analytical skills.

Advanced Usage

• "to exercise caution/restraint": To use or show a particular quality in a situation.

  • You should exercise extreme caution when driving in fog.

• "to exercise control/influence over": To use authority or power to direct or affect something.

  • The manager exercises direct control over the project's budget.

• "to exercise one's mind": To engage in thought or mental activity.

  • Reading philosophy is a good way to exercise your mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Exerciser (n): A person who exercises; a device used for physical exercise.
• Exercisable (adj): Capable of being used or put into practice (e.g., an exercisable option).

Synonyms

• Noun (Activity): Workout, training, physical activity.
• Noun (Task): Drill, practice, assignment.
• Verb (Use): Employ, utilize, wield.
• Verb (Practice): Drill, rehearse, train.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Exercise over: (Formal) To be worried or anxious about something.
  • He was greatly exercised over the financial report. (This usage is less common and formal.)

Related Idioms

• A healthy mind in a healthy body: This proverb is often associated with the benefits of regular physical and mental exercise.
• Use it or lose it: An informal saying implying that skills or abilities degrade without practice or exercise.

Noun

1. (usually plural) a ceremony that involves processions and speeches
   • academic exercises
2. a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding
   • you must work the examples at the end of each chapter in the textbook
3. systematic training by multiple repetitions
   • practice makes perfect
4. the act of using
   • he warned against the use of narcotic drugs
   • skilled in the utilization of computers
5. the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
   • the doctor recommended regular exercise
   • he did some exercising
   • the physical exertion required by his work kept him fit

Verb

1. learn by repetition
   • We drilled French verbs every day
   • Pianists practice scales
2. do physical exercise
   • She works out in the gym every day
3. give a workout to
   • Some parents exercise their infants
   • My personal trainer works me hard
   • work one's muscles
   • this puzzle will exercise your mind
4. carry out or practice; as of jobs and professions
   • practice law
5. put to use
   • exert one's power or influence