health

American  

[helth] / hɛlθ /

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.

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health British  

/ 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

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interjection

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

health Idioms  

1. see clean bill of health.

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Other Word Forms

• healthward adjective
• subhealth noun

Etymology

Origin of health

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

Example Sentences

The Surgeon General is supposed to provide Americans with “the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce their risk of illness and injury,” according to the HHS website.

From The Wall Street Journal

The couple's office said the two-day visit "will focus on humanitarian health response, mental health and support for vulnerable communities affected by conflict and displacement".

From Barron's

Wales' health minister says he voted against a landmark to legalise medically assisted deaths because he was unhappy with the legislation's safeguards.

From BBC

Merck announced earlier this week that it would reorganize its human health business to create a separate division for its oncology medicines ahead of Keytruda’s patent cliff.

From Barron's

Hannon calls this “riding the age wave,” and notes that getting hired to serve the health needs of older adults doesn’t require a medical background.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• energy
• fitness
• strength
• well-being