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

That resilience, combined with the low unemployment rate, helps explain why consumer spending has held up, boosting the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

In extreme conditions such as droughts, famines or freezing temperatures, animals activate resilience programs like hibernation instead of investing energy in reproduction.

From Science Daily

Newsom used the low score as an example of the grit and resilience he learned from his mother.

From Los Angeles Times

I wanted to show that humor lives within this and that a lot of resilience and strength are also within this, and that was really the motivator.

From Los Angeles Times

Lee praised Lula's resilience ahead of the summit, saying both had risen to the top from difficult beginnings.

From Barron's

Related Words

• flexibility