wellness

[ wel-nis ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort.
2. an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life, as opposed to emphasizing treating diseases.

wellness

/ ˈwɛlnəs /

noun

1. the state of being in good physical and mental health

Word History and Origins

Origin of wellness¹

First recorded in 1650–60, for an earlier sense; introduced in 1957 by U.S. biostatistician Halbert L. Dunn, M.D. (1896–1975), for the current senses; well ¹ (in the sense “in good health”) + -ness

Example Sentences

Here’s why career, wellness, and productivity experts say uninterrupted lunch breaks are a necessity—not a guilt-inducing luxury.

From Popular-Science

Ocean Spray is looking to branch out beyond cranberries with its Lighthouse Innovation Incubator, broadening its portfolio to include brands in the health and wellness space.

From Digiday

Part of the mission of Knox Frost, who represents a 20-year-old part-human, part-robot from Atlanta, is to promote wellness and social responsibility.

From Fortune

Rossi hoped to find investors to buy the house back from Singh and turn it into a wellness center.

From ProPublica

Many brands are using social networks to show how they are contributing to the wellness of the communities during the corona crisis.

From Search Engine Watch

Portable snacks are good to have on hand, too, says Jessica Crandall, RDN, Denver Wellness & Nutrition Director.

From The Daily Beast

He is a consultant for Foodminds, which specializes “in food, beverage, nutrition, health and wellness.”

From The Daily Beast

And this pull toward wellness has seemingly reached the masses.

From The Daily Beast

Founded by global wellness company MindValley, Omvana is oft-referred to as the “Spotify of meditation apps.”

From The Daily Beast

At these wellness retreats, the staff will kick your butt—and then spoil you silly.

From The Daily Beast

The focus of the Nursing as Caring theory, then, is not toward an end product such as health or wellness.

From Project Gutenberg

Don't get discouraged if you can't suddenly change your life from shadow to sunshine, from illness to wellness.

From Project Gutenberg

I gave My Lady a little sermon about her un-wellness, which I hope she will profit by and consent to seek for some advice.

From Project Gutenberg

I call it a disease of too-wellness, and I only know how to doctor sick people.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• wellbeing