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

Morris searched for whatever strength was left in his malnourished body.

From The Daily Beast

The most dangerous attacks are those that undermine your perceived strength.

From The Daily Beast

That had to give them an enormous reservoir of moral strength and solace.

From The Daily Beast

They are stories of persecution and triumph, adversity and strength.

From The Daily Beast

With twice as many British soldiers, Washington was in for a fiercely competitive battle of wit and strength.

From The Daily Beast

The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.

From Project Gutenberg

The manifest annoyance of her household was thus easily accounted for, but he marveled at the strength of her bodyguard.

From Project Gutenberg

To be wiser than other men is to be honester than they; and strength of mind is only courage to see and speak the truth.

From Project Gutenberg

For of sadness cometh death, and it overwhelmeth the strength, and the sorrow of the heart boweth down the neck.

From Project Gutenberg

But the strength of his arm, and the bravery of his heart could not have defended him long against their determined attack.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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