exercise

Noun

1. Any activity designed to develop or hone a skill or ability.
   • The teacher told us that the next exercise is to write an essay.
   • Where noyse of armes, or vew of martiall guize / Might not reuiue desire of knightly exercize. - 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto VI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie,...
   • an exercise of the eyes and memory - 1693, [John Locke], “§178”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], →OCLC:

   Synonyms: practice practicing drill drilling

   Coordinate Terms: instruction training teaching

2. Activity intended to improve physical, or sometimes mental, strength and fitness.
   • I like to do my exercises every morning before breakfast. I do calisthenics for physical exercise, and I do crosswords for mental exercise.
   • Regular mental exercise keeps the circuits of the brain active and healthy and reduces the risk of dementia. - 2018, Timothy R. Jennings, The Aging Brain, →ISBN, page 107:

   1. Such activity of physical nature, for physical fitness (plus also mental benefit).

      • Swimming is good exercise.
      • She does stomach exercises every day.
      • This new-comer was a man who in any company would have seemed striking.[…]He was smooth-faced, and his fresh skin and well-developed figure bespoke the man in good physical condition through active exercise, yet well...

   2. Such activity of mental nature, for neurocognitive health.

      • Such exercises as puzzles and chess can help keep the mind sharp as we age.
3. A setting in action or practicing; employment in the proper mode of activity; exertion; application; use.
   • The law guarantees us the free exercise of our rights.
   • We urge the exercise of patience and restraint.
   • December 8, 1801, Thomas Jefferson, first annual message exercise of the important function confided by the constitution to the legislature
4. The performance of an office, ceremony, or duty.
   • I assisted the ailing vicar in the exercise of his parish duties.
   • Lewis[…] refused even those of the church of England[…]the public exercise of their religion. - 1705, J[oseph] Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson,...
   • He doth entreat your Grace, my noble lord, To visit him tomorrow or next day. To draw him from his holy exercise. - c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William...
5. That which gives practice; a trial; a test.
   • But patience is more oft the exerciſe / Of Saints, the trial of thir fortitude, - 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […]...

Verb

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.
   • exercise caution
   • The tenant exercised his option to renew the tenancy.
   • She is going to exercise her right to vote.

   Synonyms: assert

4. 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
   • It is not a question that has exercised me greatly in the past.
   • Where pain of unextinguiſhable fire / Muſt exerciſe us without hope of end - 1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert...
5. To set in action; to cause to act, move, or make exertion; to give employment to.
   • And herein doe I exercise my selfe to haue alwayes a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. - 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 24:16:
   • Little disappointed, then, she turned attention to "Chat of the Social World," gossip which exercised potent fascination upon the girl's intelligence. - 1914 November, Louis Joseph Vance, “An Outsider […]”, in Munsey’s...

Wikipedia

Exercise