health

[helth]

noun

1. the general condition of the body or mind with reference to soundness and vigor.

   good health;

   poor health.

2. soundness of body or mind; freedom from disease or ailment.

   to have one's health;

   to lose one's health.

   Synonyms: stamina, fitness, strength, vitality, vigor

3. a polite or complimentary wish for a person's health, happiness, etc., especially as a toast.

   We drank a health to our guest of honor.

4. vigor; vitality.

   economic health.

health

/ hɛlθ /

noun

1. the state of being bodily and mentally vigorous and free from disease

2. the general condition of body and mind

   in poor health

3. the condition of any unit, society, etc

   the economic health of a nation

4. a toast to a person, wishing him or her good health, happiness, etc

5. (modifier) of or relating to food or other goods reputed to be beneficial to the health

   health food

   a health store

6. (modifier) of or relating to health, esp to the administration of health

   a health committee

   health resort

   health service

interjection

1. an exclamation wishing someone good health as part of a toast (in the phrases your health, good health, etc)

Other Word Forms

• healthward adjective
• subhealth noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of health¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English helthe, Old English hǣlth; hale ¹, whole, -th ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of health¹

Old English hǣlth; related to hāl _hale ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see clean bill of health.

Example Sentences

His lawyer has said Mr Duterte is not able to stand trial due to poor health.

From BBC

At least 65,344 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

From BBC

All remaining Bodycare stores are to close with the loss of 444 jobs after the health and beauty chain's administrators failed to find a buyer for the shops.

From BBC

Both suffered health problems while in prison, including severe anaemia.

From BBC

But when seasoned journalists question policy on Ukraine, voting rights or reproductive health, they’re usually shut down, ignored or attacked.

From Salon

Related Words

• energy 
• fitness 
• strength 
• well-being