1 to make use of sth, for example influence, strength, etc, to affect sb/sth 运用(影响力、力量等):
Parents exert a powerful influence on their children's opinions.父母对子女的见解影响重大。
2exert yourself to make a big effort 尽力;努力:
You won't make any progress if you don't exert yourself a bit more.你如果不多加一把劲,就不会有进步。