endurance

American  

[en-door-uhns, -dyoor-] / ɛnˈdʊər əns, -ˈdyʊər- /

noun

1. the fact or power of enduring or bearing pain, hardships, etc.

2. the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina.

   He has amazing physical endurance.

3. lasting quality; duration.

   His friendships have little endurance.

4. something endured, as a hardship; trial.

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endurance British  

/ ɪnˈdjʊərəns /

noun

1. the capacity, state, or an instance of enduring

2. something endured; a hardship, strain, or privation

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Synonym Usage

See patience.

Etymology

Origin of endurance

First recorded in 1485–95; endure + -ance

Explanation

Endurance is the power to withstand something challenging. If you decide to run a marathon, you will need lots of endurance to run over 26 miles. The noun endurance contains endure, which means "to suffer or undergo" and the suffix -ance means "the state of." It can be used to describe the physical strength to keep going, as in a marathon or giving birth, but it can also be used when discussing an exhausting mental situation or stressful time — the endurance to bounce back from heartbreak, perhaps.

Related Words

• ability
• capacity
• courage
• fortitude
• grit
• mettle
• patience
• perseverance
• persistence
• stamina
• strength
• tenacity
• tolerance
• vitality