1 a [noncount] : physical activity that is done in order to become stronger and healthier
▪ Get plenty of fresh air and exercise. ▪ Swimming is my favorite kind of exercise. ▪ I need to get more exercise. [=I need to exercise more frequently] ▪ She plays tennis chiefly for (the) exercise. — often used before another noun ▪ an exercise class/video/machine ▪ exercise balls/mats
b [count] : a particular movement or series of movements done to become stronger and healthier
▪ knee exercises ▪ She did stretching exercises before her daily run. 2 [count] : something that is done or practiced to develop a particular skill
▪ arithmetic exercises ▪ vocal exercises ▪ Do the writing exercise at the end of each chapter. 3 [count] : an activity that has a specified quality or result
▪ The negotiations have gotten nowhere, and I see no reason to continue with this pointless exercise. — usually + in ▪ Waiting for the letter to come was an exercise in patience. ▪ an exercise in public relations ▪ The negotiations turned out to be an exercise in futility. [=the negotiations were not successful or worthwhile] 4 exercises [plural] a chiefly US : a ceremony for students who have graduated from a school
▪ graduation/commencement exercises
b : military activities done for training
▪ conducting naval exercises in the Mediterranean 5 [noncount] somewhat formal : the use of an ability or power that you have
▪ We can avoid these problems by the exercise of a little common sense. [=by using a little common sense] ▪ the exercise of self-control