exercising

ex·er·cise  (ksr-sz)

n.

1. An act of employing or putting into play; use: the free exercise of intellect; the exercise of an option.

2. The discharge of a duty, function, or office.

3. Activity that requires physical or mental exertion, especially when performed to develop or maintain fitness: took an hour of vigorous daily exercise at a gym.

4. A task, problem, or other effort performed to develop or maintain fitness or increase skill: a piano exercise; a memory exercise.

5. An activity having a specified aspect: an undertaking that was an exercise in futility.

6. exercises A program that includes speeches, presentations, and other ceremonial activities performed before an audience: graduation exercises.

v. ex·er·cised, ex·er·cis·ing, ex·er·cis·es

v.tr.

1. To put into play or operation; employ: Proceed, but exercise caution.

2. To bring to bear; exert: "The desire to be re-elected exercises a strong brake on independent courage" (John F. Kennedy).

3.

a. To subject to practice or exertion in order to train, strengthen, or develop: exercise the back muscles; exercise the memory.

b. To put through exercises: exercise a platoon. See Synonyms at practice.

4.

a. To carry out the functions of: exercise the role of disciplinarian.

b. To execute the terms of (a stock option, for example).

5.

a. To absorb the attentions of, especially by worry or anxiety.

b. To stir to anger or alarm; upset: an injustice that exercised the whole community.

v.intr.

To take exercise.

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[Middle English, from Old French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercitus, past participle of exercre, to exercise : ex-, ex- + arcre, to restrain.]

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exer·cisa·ble adj.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

exercising - 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" exercise, physical exercise, physical exertion, workout cardiopulmonary exercise - exercise intended to strengthen the circulatory system gymnastic exercise - (gymnastics) an exercise designed to develop and display strength and agility and balance (usually performed with or on some gymnastic apparatus) kick up - raising the feet backward with the hands on the ground; a first movement in doing a handstand elbow grease, exertion, effort, travail, sweat - use of physical or mental energy; hard work; "he got an A for effort"; "they managed only with great exertion" exercise set, set - several exercises intended to be done in series; "he did four sets of the incline bench press" anaerobic exercise, bodybuilding, muscle building, musclebuilding - exercise that builds muscles through tension calisthenics, callisthenics - light exercises designed to promote general fitness; "several different calisthenics were illustrated in the video" isometric exercise, isometrics - muscle-building exercises (or a system of musclebuilding exercises) involving muscular contractions against resistance without movement (the muscles contracts but the length of the muscle does not change) isotonic exercise - exercise in which opposing muscles contract and there is controlled movement (tension is constant while the lengths of the muscles change); "the classic isotonic exercise is lifting free weights" Kegel exercises, pubococcygeus exercises - exercises for women designed to improve the ability to hold urine stretching, stretch - exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent arm exercise - exercise designed to strengthen the arm muscles back exercise - exercise designed to strengthen the back muscles leg exercise - exercise designed to strengthen the leg muscles neck exercise - exercise designed to strengthen the neck muscles stomach exercise, tummy crunch - an exercise designed to strengthen the abdominal muscles yoga - a system of exercises practiced as part of the Hindu discipline to promote control of the body and mind