strategy
Americannoun
-
Also strategics. the science or art of combining and employing the means of war in planning and directing large military movements and operations.
-
the use or an instance of using this science or art.
-
skillful use of a stratagem.
The salesperson's strategy was to seem always to agree with the customer.
-
a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result.
a strategy for getting ahead in the world.
noun
-
the art or science of the planning and conduct of a war; generalship
-
a particular long-term plan for success, esp in business or politics Compare tactics
-
a plan or stratagem
Usage
What is strategy? A strategy is a plan or method put in place to achieve a goal or result, as in Blanca’s strategy for passing the test was to study every night until test day. Strategy can refer to the use of tactics in the planning of military operations, usually to succeed in a battle or war. In a military context, a strategy can refer to an overall plan, a specific or broad goal, or the execution of said plan or goal. Strategy can also refer to the use of a strategy to meet a goal, as in The only way to win a war is with a solid strategy. Example: Their strategy was to distract the enemy and then sneak in from behind.
Synonym Usage
In military usage, a distinction is made between strategy and tactics. Strategy is the utilization, during both peace and war, of all of a nation's forces, through large-scale, long-range planning and development, to ensure security or victory. Tactics deals with the use and deployment of troops in actual combat.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of strategy
First recorded in 1680–90; from Greek stratēgía “generalship,” equivalent to stratēg(os) “military commander, general” ( strat(ós) “army” + -ēgos, noun derivative of ágein “to lead”) + -ia -y 3
Explanation
In the game of capture-the-flag, running toward your flag screaming is not a good strategy. A strategy is any plan you make to achieve a goal. The word strategy was developed to describe plans people made for war, and strategies often rely on certain chief assets––the British strategy for world domination relied on its naval superiority, our strategy for this game relies on the other team's poor level of fitness. After they're exhausted, we go for the goal.
Vocabulary lists containing strategy
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Gabelli described “private market value with a catalyst” as a philosophical strategy that had been developed and taught by Mario Gabelli at Columbia Business School, and which “compares Buffett’s intrinsic value with a control premium.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
Whatever happens, trading will remain a key part of the club's strategy in the coming years and there has been a shift in approach with incomings too.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The company is in the process of choosing a partner that will build and operate the Georgia site, Katti, the vice president of compute strategy, said in an interview.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
He soon developed a reputation for charging top dollar for his campaign strategy services and for his heavy campaign spending.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
One strategy for doing this was to burn the undergrowth in forests.
From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Iván Duque, who became Colombia's president in 2018, refocused the government's approach on eradication and security strategies.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
By examining how koalas responded to earlier population crashes and recoveries, scientists may be able to develop better conservation strategies for protecting the species today.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026
Demand for premium travel experiences in the years since the pandemic has led airlines to focus even more on big-spending customers, shifting credit cards and loyalty programs to the center of airlines’ strategies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
Ervin Graves should "provide recommendations" on Pakistan's policy and investment engagement strategies, and identify possible investors, it says.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
In the Americas, European colonizers used strategies they had used in Ireland, Africa, and Asia.
From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
