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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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

Explanation

Your health is the condition of your body. If you barely get any sleep and only eat frozen pizza and jellybeans, you probably have poor health. Health comes from the old English word for "whole," and you can think of it as the state of your whole being — both body and mind. We use health to talk about bodies and people, but also to talk about whole systems. If you lost your job, you might be worried about the health of your finances. If a bad manager provokes employees to be unproductive, investors might be worried about the health of a business.

Example Sentences

But why go to therapy when there are Black barbershops ready to give them a fresh start as an alternative to mental health help.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

He referenced his mental health struggles and how each fighter will have their own reality to deal with.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Bieber hasn't performed at a venue of Coachella's size since 2022, when he appeared at Rock in Rio in Brazil before canceling the remainder of his international tour due to health issues.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that consuming raw milk “can lead to serious health risks, especially for certain vulnerable populations,” and encourages people to choose pasteurized dairy products.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Jackson’s financial health suffered as well, along with his physical health.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Related Words

• energy
• fitness
• strength
• well-being