health

American  

[helth] / hɛlθ /

noun

1. the general condition of the body or mind with reference to soundness and vigor.

   good health;

   poor health.

2. soundness of body or mind; freedom from disease or ailment.

   to have one's health;

   to lose one's health.

   Synonyms:

   stamina, fitness, strength, vitality, vigor

3. a polite or complimentary wish for a person's health, happiness, etc., especially as a toast.

   We drank a health to our guest of honor.

4. vigor; vitality.

   economic health.

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health British  

/ hɛlθ /

noun

1. the state of being bodily and mentally vigorous and free from disease

2. the general condition of body and mind

   in poor health

3. the condition of any unit, society, etc

   the economic health of a nation

4. a toast to a person, wishing him or her good health, happiness, etc

5. (modifier) of or relating to food or other goods reputed to be beneficial to the health

   health food

   a health store

6. (modifier) of or relating to health, esp to the administration of health

   a health committee

   health resort

   health service

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interjection

1. an exclamation wishing someone good health as part of a toast (in the phrases your health, good health, etc)

health Idioms  

1. see clean bill of health.

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Other Word Forms

• healthward adjective
• subhealth noun

Etymology

Origin of health

First recorded before 1000; Middle English helthe, Old English hǣlth; hale ¹, whole, -th ¹

Example Sentences

"The contribution that newly qualified paramedics make to patient care and the wider health system remains hugely important and deeply valued."

From BBC

The findings may have broader implications for people who rely on caffeine at night, including shift workers, health care professionals, and military personnel.

From Science Daily

Education and health services added 58,000 jobs in March, leading sector growth, while manufacturing employment shrank.

From The Wall Street Journal

Big Bro is also the name of his mental health foundation for youth that he launched earlier this year.

From Los Angeles Times

He was sentenced to a year of mental health counseling and jail time as a result.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• energy
• fitness
• strength
• well-being