resilience

American  

[ri-zil-yuhns, -zil-ee-uhns] / rɪˈzɪl yəns, -ˈzɪl i əns /

Also resiliency

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.

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Other Word Forms

• nonresilience noun
• nonresiliency noun

Etymology

Origin of resilience

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

Example Sentences

Software executives, startup founders and investors all said the next phase of scrutiny on companies should revolve around their resilience and what changes they are making to adjust to the rise of AI.

From The Wall Street Journal

He added that farmers were resilient, but "resilience isn't unlimited" and called on Daera to provide "appropriate" flexibility.

From BBC

Westlake has already had to show resilience to keep pursuing his dream.

From BBC

Having not won at Ibrox in four attempts since September 2023 and given Rangers have won their past 10 home matches, a show of resilience in Stuttgart was timely.

From BBC

For generations, it has symbolized resilience and rural life, valued for its toughness, ability to graze on marginal land, and nutrient-dense milk that supported small farmers.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• flexibility