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physical exercise

physical exercise

6 2.1
Planned activity that uses your muscles to keep you fit and healthy
  • noun
  • /ˈfɪzɪkəl ˈɛksərsaɪz/
translation icon : ejercicio físico
  • Regular physical exercise helps to improve overall health and fitness.
  • regular physical exercise
  • participating in physical exercise
  • participation in physical exercise

Admit that is the most exhausting physical exercise you'll ever do.

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Examples

  • Other forms of treatment include education, physical exercise, and mind-body programs.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The role of physical exercise in resetting the circadian clock is also under investigation.

    Academic text (1997)
  • It's time for your physical exercise, anyway.

  • I never went in for physical exercise before, but now... now I love it.

  • What's your favorite form of physical exercise?

  • Warden likes to encourage physical exercise.

  • Thus, it is necessary to perform physical exercise consistently in order to prevent inactivity.

    Academic text (1996)
  • And they measured volunteers' heart rates to assess their fitness levels during physical exercise.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Daily, twice weekly, or weekly physical exercise was reported by 73% of men and 62% of women.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Here we will impress upon him our three cornerstones to success: Intensive study, physical exercise, and, of course, discipline.

Synonyms

exercise
vsphysical exercise
455 1.0

Activity that makes your body stronger and healthier

is planned activity that uses muscles rather than casual movement
workout
vsphysical exercise
236 2.0

A time when you do exercise to get fit

is a planned activity but can be broader than one session or program
exercising
vsphysical exercise
9 1.0

Physical activity you do to keep fit and healthy

is a planned activity focusing on muscle use not just the action of moving
workout routine
vsphysical exercise
3 2.8

A planned set of exercises you do regularly to get fitter and healthier

is planned too but can be a single activity not a regular program

Antonyms

16 5.6

Spending most time sitting and getting little exercise

How Vigorous

sprint
55 2.1
running
108 1.0
physical exercise
6 2.1
jogging
41 1.0
walking
337 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

physical + exercise

The meaning is directly compositional: 'physical' (relating to the body) modifies 'exercise' (bodily movements for health/fitness), so the combined phrase denotes bodily activity for fitness. This structure is common across languages (e.g. Spanish 'ejercicio físico', French 'exercice physique'), making it immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Physical exercise comes from two simple words: physical meaning 'of the body' and exercise meaning 'a planned activity'. Imagine moving your body on purpose to make your muscles stronger; that image shows why it means 'planned activity to keep fit'.