exercisenoun/ˈɛk.sə.saɪz/

• 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.
• 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.
• 3

  Activity intended to improve physical, or sometimes mental, strength and fitness.

  • Swimming is good exercise.
  • She does stomach exercises every day.
• 4

  Activity intended to improve physical, or sometimes mental, strength and fitness.

  • Such exercises as puzzles and chess can help keep the mind sharp as we age.
• 5

  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.
• 6

  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.
• 7

  obsoleteThat which gives practice; a trial; a test.

  • But patience is more oft the exerciſe / Of Saints, the trial of thir fortitude,

exerciseverb/ˈɛk.sə.saɪz/

• 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.
• 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.
• 5

  obsoleteTo 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.
  • Little disappointed, then, she turned attention to "Chat of the Social World," gossip which exercised potent fascination upon the girl's intelligence.