exercise

ex|er|cise1 [ `eksər,saız ] noun ***

▸ 1 physical activity

▸ 2 learning activity

▸ 3 military activity

▸ 4 for particular purpose

▸ 5 use of power etc.

1. ) uncount physical activity done in order to stay healthy and make your body stronger:

Try to do 20 minutes of vigorous exercise every day.

get exercise: I get plenty of exercise being an aerobics instructor.

a ) count a physical action that you repeat several times in order to make a part of your body stronger or more healthy:

Roll over and repeat the exercise on the other leg.

deep-breathing exercises

b ) only before noun relating to exercise or used for exercise:

exercise equipment

a new exercise routine

2. ) count an activity or set of activities that you do in order to learn how to do something:

Have you done your piano exercises yet?

a drawing exercise

a ) a set of written questions that you answer in order to help you learn something:

Next I'd like you to do the exercises on page 10.

3. ) count usually plural activities that the military does in order to be prepared to fight in a war

4. ) singular FORMAL an action that has a particular plan, purpose, or result:

The object of the exercise is to get you to think independently.

Comparing prices can be a worthwhile exercise.

a cost-cutting exercise

exercise in: Good management is often an exercise in compromise.

5. ) uncount FORMAL the use of your power, rights, or skills:

public officials in the exercise of their duties

exercise

ex|er|cise 2 [ `eksər,saız ] verb ***

1. ) intransitive to do a physical activity such as walking, swimming, or running in order to stay healthy and make your body stronger:

Do you eat right and exercise regularly?

a ) transitive to move or use a particular part of your body in order to make it strong:

The doctor said I should exercise my knee every morning.

b ) transitive to allow an animal to walk or run so that it stays healthy:

Large dogs should be exercised every day.

2. ) transitive FORMAL to use your power, rights, or influence:

For centuries, the Church exercised almost unquestioned authority.

a ) to use a skill or personal quality, especially in order to avoid problems:

Caution must be exercised when operating this equipment.

3. ) transitive VERY FORMAL to worry someone or make them think hard about something:

They were greatly exercised by the prospect of losing their jobs.