Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
EXERCISE
I. noun see: ark
Date: 14th century
1. the act of bringing into play or realizing in action ; use , the discharge of an official function or professional occupation , the act or an instance of carrying out the terms of an agreement (as an option),
2. regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ, bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness , something performed or practiced in order to develop, improve, or display a specific capability or skill , a performance or activity having a strongly marked secondary or ulterior aspect ,
5. a maneuver, operation, or drill carried out for training and discipline , a program including speeches, an noun cements of awards and honors, and various traditional practices of secular or religious character ,
II. verb (-cised; -cising)
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. to make effective in action ; use , to bring to bear ; exert , to implement the terms of (as an option),
2. to use repeatedly in order to strengthen or develop , to train (as troops) by drills and maneuvers, to put through exercises ,
3. to engage the attention and effort of, to cause anxiety, alarm, or indignation in , intransitive verb to take exercise, exercisable adjective