resilience

Also re·sil·ien·cy

[ri-zil-yuhns, -zil-ee-uhns]

noun

1. the power or ability of a material to return to its original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.

2. the ability of a person to adjust to or recover readily from illness, adversity, major life changes, etc.; buoyancy.

3. the ability of a system or organization to respond to or recover readily from a crisis, disruptive process, etc..

   Cities can build resilience to climate change by investing in infrastructure.

Other Word Forms

• nonresilience noun
• nonresiliency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of resilience¹

First recorded in 1620–30; resili(ent) + -ence

Example Sentences

Against that backdrop, older households are showing comparatively greater resilience.

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This would add support to the idea that the U.S. is in a K-shaped recovery —with the highest-income earners bouncing back much faster than others—which has implications for overall economic resilience.

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But we showed character and resilience and then when we got the equaliser, the confidence flooded into the side.

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"Most measures of longer-term inflation expectations continued to stand at around two percent," the minutes said, while "the latest indicators suggested resilience in global economic activity".

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For many in the community, the trust symbolises transformation, resilience and hope.

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Related Words

• flexibility