exertion

noun

ex·​er·​tion ig-ˈzər-shən How to pronounce exertion (audio)
: the act or an instance of exerting
especially : a laborious or perceptible effort

Examples of exertion in a Sentence

He was panting from the exertion of climbing the stairs. an easy sport that requires little physical exertion
Recent Examples on the Web The veggies turn out clean and dry, with less physical exertion and no kitchen towel required. Alexis Deboschnek, Bon Appétit, 3 Jan. 2024 Add in the need for brief bouts of strenuous exertion in the cold — experts say there’s strong evidence that activities like shoveling snow can trigger heart attacks and other heart issues, for example — and winter can be a recipe for disaster. Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 Some of these pre-trial exertions will eventually call for a ruling from the judge. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 6 Jan. 2024 The politics of who deserves your physical exertion — in black tie no less — is so fraught. Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2024 But effort, Hynes pointed out Saturday, isn’t just physical exertion. John Shipley, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2024 Physical exertion was a literal exposure — getting sweaty, being in crowds of people… Soho House Run Club participant Adoley Swaniker enjoys a slice of avocado toast. Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2023 Half of sudden cardiac deaths occurred during physical exertion and only two were caused by a blow to the chest like the one experienced by Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin last year. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Think North Face-adjacent activewear for people who largely avoid physical exertion. Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exertion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exertion was in 1677

Dictionary Entries Near exertion

Cite this Entry

“Exertion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exertion. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

exertion

noun
ex·​er·​tion ig-ˈzər-shən How to pronounce exertion (audio)
: the act or an instance of exerting

More from Merriam-Webster on exertion

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