strategy

[ strat-i-jee ]

noun

, plural strat·e·gies.

1. Also the science or art of combining and employing the means of war in planning and directing large military movements and operations.
2. the use or an instance of using this science or art.
3. skillful use of a stratagem:

   The salesperson's strategy was to seem always to agree with the customer.

4. a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result:

   a strategy for getting ahead in the world.

strategy

/ ˈstrætɪdʒɪ /

noun

1. the art or science of the planning and conduct of a war; generalship
2. a particular long-term plan for success, esp in business or politics Compare tactics
3. a plan or stratagem

Other Words From

• counter·strate·gy noun plural counterstrategies

Word History and Origins

Origin of strategy¹

First recorded in 1680–90; from Greek stratēgía “generalship,” equivalent to stratēg(os) “military commander, general” ( strat(ós) “army” + -ēgos, noun derivative of ágein “to lead”) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of strategy¹

C17: from French stratégie, from Greek stratēgia function of a general; see stratagem

Synonym Study

In military usage, a distinction is made between strategy and tactics. Strategy is the utilization, during both peace and war, of all of a nation's forces, through large-scale, long-range planning and development, to ensure security or victory. Tactics deals with the use and deployment of troops in actual combat.

Related Words

• action
• approach
• blueprint
• design
• game plan
• method
• plan
• planning
• policy
• procedure
• program
• project
• scenario
• scheme
• system