strength

[ strengkth, strength, strenth ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being strong; bodily or muscular power.
2. mental power, force, or vigor.
3. moral power, firmness, or courage.
4. power by reason of influence, authority, resources, numbers, etc.
5. number, as of personnel or ships in a force or body:

   a regiment with a strength of 3000.

6. effective force, potency, or cogency, as of inducements or arguments:

   the strength of his plea.

7. power of resisting force, strain, wear, etc.
8. vigor of action, language, feeling, etc.
9. the effective or essential properties characteristic of a beverage, chemical, or the like:

   The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.

   Synonyms: potency

10. a particular proportion or concentration of these properties; intensity, as of light, color, sound, flavor, or odor:

    coffee of normal strength.

    Synonyms: pungency, vividness, loudness, brightness

11. a positive or valuable attribute or quality:

    I was asked to list my strengths and weaknesses.

12. something or someone that gives one strength or is a source of power or encouragement; sustenance:

    The Bible was her strength and joy.

13. power to rise or remain firm in prices:

    Stocks continued to show strength.

    The pound declined in strength.

strength

/ strɛŋθ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being physically or mentally strong
2. the ability to withstand or exert great force, stress, or pressure
3. something that is regarded as being beneficial or a source of power

   their chief strength is technology

4. potency, as of a drink, drug, etc
5. power to convince; cogency

   the strength of an argument

6. degree of intensity or concentration of colour, light, sound, flavour, etc
7. the full or part of the full complement as specified

   at full strength

   below strength

8. finance firmness of or a rising tendency in prices, esp security prices
9. archaic.
   a stronghold or fortress
10. informal.
    the general idea, the main purpose

    to get the strength of something

11. from strength to strength
    with ever-increasing success
12. in strength
    in large numbers
13. on the strength of
    on the basis of or relying upon

Other Words From

• self-strength noun
• su·per·strength noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of strength¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English strengthe, Old English strengthu; strong, -th ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of strength¹

Old English strengthu; related to Old High German strengida; see strong

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the strength of, on the basis of; relying on:

   He was accepted by the college on the strength of ardent personal recommendations.

More idioms and phrases containing strength

see brute force (strength) ; on the strength of ; tower of strength .

Synonym Study

Strength, power, force, might suggest capacity to do something. Strength is inherent capacity to manifest energy, to endure, and to resist. Power is capacity to do work and to act. Force is the exercise of power: One has the power to do something. He exerts force when he does it. He has sufficient strength to complete it. Might is power or strength in a great or overwhelming degree: the might of an army.

Example Sentences

The Sinn Féin deputy leader added that his "strength and courage in the face of illness served as an inspiration to many, as he became a powerful advocate for raising awareness of cancer".

From BBC

The image was considered a sign of resilience and strength for women in sport.

From BBC

This is a pressing concern in a super-aging society like Japan where -- while people live longer -- without proper muscle strength, quality of life can be drastically diminished.

From Science Daily

The most common problems include chronic headaches, difficulty swallowing and decreased muscle strength, as well as syringomyelia, a condition that occurs when a cyst forms in the spinal cord.

From Science Daily

The importance of territory to both sides is the strength it lends to their position in any potential negotiations.

From BBC

Related Words

• clout
• courage
• durability
• energy
• firmness
• fortitude
• health
• power
• stability
• tenacity
• toughness
• vigor
• vitality