What does "exercises" mean?

1. (physical activity) physical activities you do to keep your body strong and healthy. 2. (learning tasks) tasks or questions you do to practice something you are learning. 3. (ceremonies) a formal event or ceremony, like a graduation.

exercises

US //ˈɛksɝˌsaɪzəz// UK //ˈɛksəsˌaɪzɪz// ex·er·cis·es

1 physical activity (n.)
A1 Beginner Sport

physical activities you do to keep your body strong and healthy.

physical activities or movements performed to improve health, strength, or fitness. Usually plural when referring to specific types of movement.

Example

He does stretching exercises every morning to help with his back pain.

Example

The physiotherapist prescribed a series of low-impact exercises designed to strengthen the core muscles without straining the lower vertebrae.
- workouts
- training
2 learning tasks (n.)
A1 Beginner

tasks or questions you do to practice something you are learning.

pedagogical tasks or problems intended to develop a specific skill or reinforce knowledge.

Example

The grammar exercises at the end of the chapter were quite easy.

Example

The textbook includes various interactive exercises that allow students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.
3 ceremonies (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal American English

a formal event or ceremony, like a graduation.

formal ceremonies or proceedings, often associated with a graduation or a military event.

Example

The graduation exercises were held in the main stadium this year.

Example

The commencement exercises featured several distinguished speakers who addressed the graduating class on the importance of civic duty.

Last updated June 19, 2026