Workout

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈwɜːk.aʊ̯t/

Definitions

1. A series of exercises intended to improve physical health and fitness levels occurs over a designated period to build strength, endurance, or flexibility
2. A session of physical exercises designed to develop strength and stamina ; a structured sequence of activities aimed at enhancing bodily fitness ; a concentrated effort to figure out a solution or understand a problem
3. An arranged set of movements for physical conditioning ; an organized program of exertion for health benefits ; a mental or practical process to resolve an issue or test a hypothesis

Etymology: "Workout" is a deverbal noun, formed from the phrasal verb "work out" by turning the verb into a noun. The verb itself is the older form, and in its senses about exertion and solving problems, "work out" carries the idea of working something through until it is complete or resolved. The noun "workout" took on the sense of a session of physical exercise, and later extended to mean any intensive trial or test, such as a practice run or a process of testing an idea. The meaning of the noun followed the verb's sense of exerting effort toward a result. A workout is a bounded session of effort aimed at a goal, whether that goal is fitness or finding a solution. The same underlying logic connects a training session in a gym with a mental exercise for resolving a problem.

Synonyms: exercise, training, workout session

Antonyms: rest