WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
ex•er•tion
(ig zûr′shən),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- vigorous action or effort:physical and mental exertion.
- an effort:a great exertion to help others.
- exercise, as of power or faculties.
- an instance of this.
- exert + -ion 1660–70
- 1. . endeavor, struggle, attempt, activity, strain. See effort.
ex•ert /ɪgˈzɜrt/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to put into use; exercise:a president exerting his authority.
- to put (oneself ) into vigorous action or effort:[~ + oneself]If you exert yourself you can finish the task on time.
ex•ert
(ig zûrt′),USA pronunciation v.t.
ex•er′tive, adj.
- to put forth or into use, as power;
exercise, as ability or influence;
put into vigorous action:to exert every effort. - to put (oneself ) into strenuous, vigorous action or effort.
- Latin ex(s)ertus, past participle of exserere to thrust out, equivalent. to ex- ex-1 + ser(ere) to bind together + -tus past participle suffix
- 1650–60
'exertion' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
ashram
- attain
- blackmail
- breath
- contention
- easily
- effort
- exercise
- fatigue
- force
- laborious
- lazy
- listless
- pant
- pressure
- respite
- rest
- second wind
- short-winded
- soft
- soft option
- strain
- struggle
- tennis elbow
- tire
- travail
- trouble
- work
- action
- angina pectoris
- arduous
- blood pressure
- carb
- care
- conatus
- dehydration
- diligence
- dint
- effortful
- elbow grease
- energy
- exercitation
- foam
- haggard
- hard
- heat
- heat cramp
- idle
- indolent
- inexertion