strategy

American  

[strat-i-jee] / ˈstræt ɪ dʒi /

noun

strategies plural

1. Also the science or art of combining and employing the means of war in planning and directing large military movements and operations.

2. the use or an instance of using this science or art.

3. skillful use of a stratagem.

   The salesperson's strategy was to seem always to agree with the customer.

4. a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result.

   a strategy for getting ahead in the world.

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strategy British  

/ ˈstrætɪdʒɪ /

noun

1. the art or science of the planning and conduct of a war; generalship

2. a particular long-term plan for success, esp in business or politics Compare tactics

3. a plan or stratagem

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Usage

What is strategy? A strategy is a plan or method put in place to achieve a goal or result, as in Blanca’s strategy for passing the test was to study every night until test day. Strategy can refer to the use of tactics in the planning of military operations, usually to succeed in a battle or war. In a military context, a strategy can refer to an overall plan, a specific or broad goal, or the execution of said plan or goal. Strategy can also refer to the use of a strategy to meet a goal, as in The only way to win a war is with a solid strategy. Example: Their strategy was to distract the enemy and then sneak in from behind.

Related Words

In military usage, a distinction is made between strategy and tactics. Strategy is the utilization, during both peace and war, of all of a nation's forces, through large-scale, long-range planning and development, to ensure security or victory. Tactics deals with the use and deployment of troops in actual combat.

Other Word Forms

• counterstrategy
  noun

Etymology

Origin of strategy

First recorded in 1680–90; from Greek stratēgía “generalship,” equivalent to stratēg(os) “military commander, general” ( strat(ós) “army” + -ēgos, noun derivative of ágein “to lead”) + -ia -y ³

Explanation

In the game of capture-the-flag, running toward your flag screaming is not a good strategy. A strategy is any plan you make to achieve a goal. The word strategy was developed to describe plans people made for war, and strategies often rely on certain chief assets––the British strategy for world domination relied on its naval superiority, our strategy for this game relies on the other team's poor level of fitness. After they're exhausted, we go for the goal.

Example Sentences

Appeared in the May 27, 2026, print edition as 'Iran’s ‘Skirmish’ Strategy in the Strait'.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

Critics of this so-called digital asset treasury playbook have feared that Strategy and its copycats won’t be able to pay their debt or dividend obligations unless Bitcoin prices recover.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

Mr. O’Hanlon is the program’s director of research and author of “To Dare Mighty Things: U.S. Defense Strategy Since the Revolution.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

They said the renewed Women's Health Strategy will "ensure women are listened to and taken seriously from their very first appointment" and are referred to the right healthcare professional "first time".

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Strategy A will result in Myrtle’s choosing the best suitor in eleven of the twenty-four instances, while strategy B will result in success in ten of the twenty-four instances.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• action
• approach
• blueprint
• design
• game plan
• method
• plan
• planning
• policy
• procedure
• program
• project
• scenario
• scheme
• system