exercise

Any activity designed to develop or hone a skill or ability.countable

• The teacher told us that the next exercise is to write an essay.

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

• I like to do my exercises every morning before breakfast. I do calisthenics for physical exercise, and I do crosswords for mental exercise.

Activity intended to improve physical, or sometimes mental, strength and fitness.; Such activity of physical nature, for physical fitness (plus also mental benefit).countableuncountable

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

Activity intended to improve physical, or sometimes mental, strength and fitness.; Such activity of mental nature, for neurocognitive health.countableuncountable

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

A setting in action or practicing; employment in the proper mode of activity; exertion; application; use.countableuncountable

• The law guarantees us the free exercise of our rights.
• We urge the exercise of patience and restraint.

The performance of an office, ceremony, or duty.countableuncountable

• I assisted the ailing vicar in the exercise of his parish duties.

That which gives practice; a trial; a test.countableobsoleteuncountable

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

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

To perform physical activity for health or training.intransitive

• I exercise at the gym every day.

To use (a right, an option, etc.); to put into practice.transitive

• exercise caution
• The tenant exercised his option to renew the tenancy.

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.

To set in action; to cause to act, move, or make exertion; to give employment to.obsolete

• 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.