n. A carrying on or out in action; active performance or fulfilment; a physical or mental doing or practising: used of the continued performance of the functions, or observance of the requirements, of the subject of the action: as, the exercise of an art, a trade, or an office; the exercise of religion, of patience, etc.n. Voluntary action of the body or mind; exertion of any faculty; practice in the employment of the physical or mental powers: used absolutely, or with reference to the reflex effect of the action upon the actor: as, to take exercise in the open air; corporeal or spiritual exercise; violent, hurtful, pleasurable, or healthful exercise.n. A specific mode or employment of activity; an exertion of one or more of the physical or mental powers; practice in the use of a faculty or the faculties, as for the attainment of skill or facility, the accomplishment of a purpose, or the like: as, an exercise in horsemanship; exercises of the memory; outdoor exercises.n. A disciplinary task or formulary; something done or to be done for the attainment of proficiency or skill; a set or prescribed performance for improvement, or an example or study for improving practice: as, school exercises; an exercise in composition or music; exercises for the piano or violin.n. A performance or procedure in general; a definite or formal act for a purpose; specifically, a feature or part of a program or round of proceedings: as, the exercises of a college commencement, or of a public meeting; graduating exercises.n. A spiritual or religious action or effort; an act or procedure of devotion or for spiritual improvement; religious worship, exhortation, or the like.n. Specifically— Among the Puritans, a church service or week-day sermon: still occasionally used.n. Family worship. [Scotch.]n. Formerly, in Scotland, the critical explication of a passage of Scripture, at a meeting of presbytery, by a teaching presbyter, succeeded by a specification of the doctrines contained in it by another, both discourses being judged of, and censured, if necessary, by the rest of the brethren.n. Formerly, also, the presbytery.n. A disciplinary spiritual experience or trial; spiritual agitation.To put in practice; carry out in action; perform the functions or duties of: as, to exercise authority or power; to exercise an office.To put in action; employ actively; set or keep in a state of activity; make use of in act or procedure: as, to exercise the body, the voice, etc.; to exercise the reason or judgment; exercise your skill in this work.To train or discipline by means of exertion or practice; put or keep in practice; make, or cause to make, specific trials: as, to exercise one's self in music; to exercise troops.To give mental occupation or exercise to; cause to think earnestly or anxiously; make uneasy: as, he is exercised about his spiritual state.To impart as an effect; put forth as a result or consequence; communicate; exert.Synonyms To apply.To drill.To try, afflict, pain, annoy.To use action or exertion; exert one's self; take exercise: as, to exercise for health or amusement.To conduct a religious exercise, as the exposition of Scripture.