Quick Definition
γυμνάζω v. I train by physical exercise
Strong's Definition
from 1131; to practise naked (in the games), i.e. train (figuratively)
KJV Usage: exercise
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
verb | γυμνασία · γυμνιτεύω · γυμνός · γυμνότης
88.88 · Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior · Self-Control, Lack of Self-Control
to discipline oneself, to keep oneself disciplined to control oneself by thorough discipline In a number of languages the equivalent of ‘to discipline oneself’ is literally ‘to make oneself obey.’ This may sometimes be expressed idiomatically as ‘to command one’s heart.’
36.11 · Guide, Discipline, Follow · Discipline, Train
to train, to undergo discipline to experience vigorous training and control, with the implication of increased physical and/or moral strength In rendering γυμνάζω in HEB 12:11 it may be important in some languages to translate ‘those who have learned by such punishment’ or ‘those whose ways have been made right by such punishment’ or ‘those who because of punishment have learned how they must act.’
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
γυμνάζω; [pf. pass. ptep. γεγυμνασμένος}; (γυμνός) ; com. in Grk. writ. fr. Aeschyl. down; 11. prop. to ezercise naked (in the palzstra). 2. to exercise vigorously, in any way, either the body or the mind: ἑαυτὸν πρὸς εὐσέβειαν. of one who strives earnestly to become godly, 1 Tim. iv. 7; γεγυμνασμένος exercised, Heb. ν. 14; ΧΙ. 11; καρδίαν γεγυμν. πλεονεξίας (Rec. πλεονεξίαις), a soul that covetousness or the love of gain has trained in its crafty ways, 2 Pet. ii. 14; cf. W. § 30, 4.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
γυμνάζω gymnazō 4x
pr. to train in gymnastic discipline; hence, to exercise in anything, train to use, discipline, 1 Tim. 4:7; Heb. 5:14; 12:11; 2 Pet. 2:14*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
** γυμνάζω
(< γυμνός), [in LXX: II Mac 10:15 * ;]
properly, to exercise naked.
Generally, to exercise, train the body or mind: I Ti 4:7, He 5:14 12:11, II Pe 2:14.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
γυμνάζω. The metaphorical use of this word, as in 1 Tim 47, may be illustrated from the popular philosophy of the day— Epict. i. 26. 3 πρῶτον οὖν ἐπὶ τῆς θεωρίας γυμνάζουσιν ἡμᾶς οἱ φιλόσοφοι, ii. 18. 27 οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ταῖς ἀληθείαις ἀσκητὴς ὁ πρὸς τὰς τοιαύτας φαντασίας γυμνάζων ἑαυτόν. In PSI I. 938 (iii/A.p.) πολλὰ συνεγυμνάσθην πρὸς αὐτούς is presumably, “1 had a good bout with” certain ἐπίτροmot. So BGU ΤΙ. 615% (ii/A.p.) συ[ν]γυμνάσθητι ἐ[μ]πίpots, τί δι ἡμᾶς mpage. For the literal sense cf. Sy/7 804% (ii/a.p.) δρόμῳ γυμνάζεσθαι, etc. 76. 5238 (iii/B.c ) ὅπως δὲ ἐπιμελῶς ἐν τοῖς μαθήμασιν γυμνάζωνται οἵ τε παῖδες καὶ οἱ ἔφηβοι, τὸν παιδονόμον καὶ τὸν γυμνασίαρχον ἐπιμελεῖσθαι -τὰ μουσικὰ μανθάνειν has occurred just before—shows the beginnings of its extension. P Flor III. 338* (iii/a-D.) εὐσεBis τὸ πρᾶγμα ποιεῖς, ἐὰν ποιήσῃς Td βιβλίδιον ἐκεῖνο ὡς ἐγύμνασα αὐτὸ σύν σοι ἐν τῇ ToAet—the ‘ practising” of this petition by the two anxious ἀδελφοί is suggestive. The verb is unchanged in MGr, and still = ‘‘ practise.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
γυμνάζω (gumnazō) — to train. γυμν-άζω, future -άσω: aorist ἐγύμνασα [Refs 4th c.BC+]: perfect γεγύμνακα [Refs] (Lyric poetry):—middle, (see. below):—passive, aorist ἐγυμνάσθην [[Refs 4th c.BC+]: perfect γεγύμνασμαι (see. below): (γυμνός):—train naked, train in gymnastic exercise: generally, train, exercise, τὸ σῶμα, τὴν ψυχήν, [Refs 5th c.BC+]infinitive, γ. τοὺς παῖδάς τι ποιεῖν train or accustom them to do a thing, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; γ. τινά τινι accustom him to it,[Refs 5th c.BC+]; teach rhetoric, [Refs 1st c.BC+].:—middle, exercise for oneself, practise, γυμνάσασθαι τέχνην [Refs 5th c.BC+]; practise gymnastic exercises, [Refs 6th c.BC+], etc.; generally, practise, ναῦς -ομένας [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of a disputer, [Refs 4th c.BC+] —passive, ὁ γεγυμνασμένος the trained or practised orator, opposed to ὁ εὐφυής, [Refs]; γεγυμνάσθαι πρός τι, ἔντινι, be trained or practised for or in a thing, [NT+5th c.BC+]
2. prepare, βιβλίδιον [Refs 3rd c.AD+]
II. metaphorically, wear out, harass, ἄδην με.. πλάναι γεγυμνάκασι [Refs 4th c.BC+]; κρυμὸς.. πλευρὰ γυμνάζει χολῆς, of pleurisy, [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—passive, τοὺς ὑπερμήκεις δρόμους.. γυμνάζεται [Refs 4th c.BC+]
II.2. investigate, [Refs 6th c.AD+]
III. ={γυμνόω}, [Refs 6th c.AD+]