endurance
Americannoun
-
the fact or power of enduring or bearing pain, hardships, etc.
-
the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina.
He has amazing physical endurance.
-
lasting quality; duration.
His friendships have little endurance.
-
something endured, as a hardship; trial.
noun
-
the capacity, state, or an instance of enduring
-
something endured; a hardship, strain, or privation
Synonym Usage
See patience.
Etymology
Origin of endurance
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.
Vocabulary lists containing endurance
Vocabulary of the Summer Olympics
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Excerpt from "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Beowulf vocabulary
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rick Seah, a doctor who treats athletes and dancers at the U.K.’s Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, said ballet dancers need strength and endurance in their muscles and ligaments to reach and maintain many complex positions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
The leadership's idea of endurance looks very different to those required to endure it.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
Spain triumphed in a battle of endurance, beating Argentina with a goal in the 106th minute at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
Among the celebrity sightings was McLaren F1 champion Lando Norris exercising the McLaren MCL-HY endurance hypercar.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
I hoped not, because he sure was a good runner, with a lot of endurance and determination.
From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
