Exertion
/ɪɡˈzɜːrʃən/
nounB2
Definition
Exertion is the action of using strength, energy, or effort to do a task. This can be physical, like running or lifting, or mental, like concentrating hard. It usually means working hard and sometimes feeling tired after.
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See It in Action
Physical or mental effort used to do something
- •After much exertion, she finally lifted the heavy box.
- •The exertion from running made him breathe hard.
- •Mental exertion during studying can make you feel tired.
The act of applying force or energy
- •The exertion of pressure on the door opened it slowly.
- •Exertion of influence helped change the decision.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "exertion" like "work" (A1 word), but focused on strong effort or energy used, not just any work
- ✓Picture someone pushing a heavy box or running fast, muscles working hard and breathing fast
- ✓It's the feeling when you try very hard to finish a difficult homework or carry something heavy
- ✓Sounds like "egg-ZER-shun" → imagine an egg being squeezed tightly, showing strong pressure or effort
- ✓Think of sports players after a game, very tired because of their exertion (hard work)
- ✓NOT like "rest" (doing nothing), exertion is active and uses energy
- ✓NOT like "exercise" (which is a planned activity), exertion is the actual effort you put in during any activity
- ✓NOT like "effort" (general trying), exertion often means strong or physical effort, sometimes causing tiredness
Try Other Words
- •Effort: trying hard to do something (Use when the action is general and not always physical)
- •Strain: physical or mental pressure or stress (Use when the effort causes tension or discomfort)
- •Energy: power used to do work (Use when focusing on the power or fuel behind the action)
- •Labor: physical work, often hard or tiring (Use when focusing on hard physical work, sometimes for a long time)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ex-" (out, from) + "sert" (from Latin "serere" meaning to join or put forth) + "-ion" (noun suffix meaning action or process)
- •Etymology: From Latin "exertio," meaning to put forth or apply force or effort
- •Historical development: Used in English from the 1600s to describe applying force or effort, especially physical action
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to talk about physical or mental hard work, often with a sense of tiredness or strong effort
Reflect & Connect
•When do you feel the most exertion in your daily life? How does your body or mind react?
•Can exertion be good or bad? How do you decide when to stop working hard?
Fill in the blanks
1.After a long ___ of exertion, the athlete needed to rest and drink water.
2.Mental ___ like studying for hours can cause as much tiredness as physical exertion.
3.The door opened because of the ___ of pressure applied by the worker's exertion.
4.Unlike simple effort, exertion often causes ___ or tiredness after the activity.
5.People often feel proud after the ___ of hard work and success.
6.Exertion is usually followed by ___ or relaxation to recover energy.
7.The coach told the players to control their ___ so they wouldn't get too tired during the game.