workout
nounUK /ˈwɜːk.aʊ̯t/ · US /ˈwɝk.aʊ̯t/
Etymology Deverbal from work out.
1
An exercise session; a period of physical exercise.
- The following guidelines for smart weekly scheduling can simplify this piece of the planning: Swim three or four workouts each week.2008, Jim Montgomery, Mo Chambers, Mastering Swimming, page 157:
- Whether you need to recover from a stressful day, a strenuous workout or even an injury or surgery, restorative yoga may be just the thing for you.2017 February 17, Dana Santas, “Recovering from surgery or stress? Yoga can help”, in CNN:
1 more example
- More extroverted people, for example, prefer high-intensity training sessions with others, such as team sports, while people who scored highly on “neuroticism,” a metric that measures someone’s emotional instability, preferred private workouts without people watching them and punctuated by short breaks.2025 July 8, Issy Ronald, “Matching your workouts to your personality could make exercise more enjoyable and give better results”, in CNN:
2
A schedule or program of specific exercises, especially one intended to achieve a particular goal.
- If athletes do too much too soon, they will be stiff and sore 24 to 48 hours after a new workout.2007, Peter Twist, Complete Conditioning for Hockey, page 170:
- I read in another magazine about a workout that can put a whole inch on your arms in just one day!2010, Mark Alvisi (quote from a reader), "Mark of a Champion", Muscular Development 47(1): 350
3
Broadly Any activity that requires much physical or mental effort, or produces strain.
- Cynthia's phone got a workout, as well. In approximately three days since the news had hit the street, a total of five bridal showers had been booked, not to mention a luncheon at Esther Cunningham's and tea at Olivia Harper's.2001, Jan Karon, A Common Life: The Wedding Story, page 41:
- After the camera pans around and we welcome back a lot of familiar faces (Edmure Tully! Yara Greyjoy! Brienne!), the themes of opposition to fate, emotional appeals, and ethical duty get an even better workout.2019 May 19, Alex McLevy, “The final Game Of Thrones brings a pensive but simple meditation about stories (newbies)”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 22 May 2019:
- Derived terms
- street workout, vacuum workout, workout day, workout warrior