Delay yearly exercise ... (5)
I believe the answer is:
pause
'delay' is the definition.
(I know that pause is a more specific form of delay)
'yearly exercise' is the wordplay.
'yearly' becomes 'pa' (abbreviation for per annum).
'exercise' becomes 'use' (synonyms).
'pa'+'use'='PAUSE'
(Other definitions for pause that I've seen before include "Short delay" , "Short break" , "Halt briefly" , "Stop briefly, take ten" , "Temporary inactivity" .)