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

According to the government, Moderna is investing more than a £1bn in UK research and development as part of a 10-year partnership to create new treatments jobs and boost pandemic resilience.

From BBC

That resilience comes not only from talent but from life itself.

From BBC

"There's a lot of people who don't get here – but I have tenacity. I have resilience, which I'm very grateful for, because no matter how many times I've fallen down, I've bounced up again."

From BBC

"Despite that, students in Gaza have shown incredible resilience and unwavering determination to pursue their studies against an appalling backdrop of death, destruction and famine."

From BBC

“We simply ask that you remain vigilant, look out for one another, and continue to show the love and resilience that define us.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flexibility