strength

American  

[strengkth, strength, strenth] / strɛŋkθ, strɛŋθ, strɛnθ /

noun

strengths plural

1. the quality or state of being strong; bodily or muscular power.

2. mental power, force, or vigor.

3. moral power, firmness, or courage.

4. power by reason of influence, authority, resources, numbers, etc.

5. number, as of personnel or ships in a force or body.

   a regiment with a strength of 3000.

6. effective force, potency, or cogency, as of inducements or arguments.

   the strength of his plea.

7. power of resisting force, strain, wear, etc.

8. vigor of action, language, feeling, etc.

9. the effective or essential properties characteristic of a beverage, chemical, or the like.

   The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.

   Synonyms:

   potency

10. a particular proportion or concentration of these properties; intensity, as of light, color, sound, flavor, or odor.

    coffee of normal strength.

    Synonyms:

    pungency, vividness, loudness, brightness

11. a positive or valuable attribute or quality.

    I was asked to list my strengths and weaknesses.

12. something or someone that gives one strength or is a source of power or encouragement; sustenance.

    The Bible was her strength and joy.

13. power to rise or remain firm in prices.

    Stocks continued to show strength.

    The pound declined in strength.

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idioms

1. on the strength of, on the basis of; relying on.

   He was accepted by the college on the strength of ardent personal recommendations.

strength British  

/ strɛŋθ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being physically or mentally strong

2. the ability to withstand or exert great force, stress, or pressure

3. something that is regarded as being beneficial or a source of power

   their chief strength is technology

4. potency, as of a drink, drug, etc

5. power to convince; cogency

   the strength of an argument

6. degree of intensity or concentration of colour, light, sound, flavour, etc

7. the full or part of the full complement as specified

   at full strength

   below strength

8. finance firmness of or a rising tendency in prices, esp security prices

9. archaic a stronghold or fortress

10. informal the general idea, the main purpose

    to get the strength of something

11. with ever-increasing success

12. in large numbers

13. on the basis of or relying upon

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strength More Idioms  

1. see brute force (strength); on the strength of; tower of strength.

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Synonym Usage

Strength, power, force, might suggest capacity to do something. Strength is inherent capacity to manifest energy, to endure, and to resist. Power is capacity to do work and to act. Force is the exercise of power: One has the power to do something. He exerts force when he does it. He has sufficient strength to complete it. Might is power or strength in a great or overwhelming degree: the might of an army.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• self-strength
  noun
• superstrength
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• strengths
  plural

Etymology

Origin of strength

First recorded before 900; Middle English strengthe, Old English strengthu; see strong, -th ¹

Explanation

Strength is the property of being physically strong (you can do, say, 100 push-ups) or mentally strong (you can calculate percentages in your head while people are shouting at you). Strength has several shades of meaning. The strength of something can be the measure of how much force or pressure it can withstand over time (like a flood wall). Or its potency (like a pesticide). Or its intensity level (like a radio signal). Its fighting capabilities (like an army). Or its specialty: A chameleon's strength is actually in its ability to blend in with its surroundings.

Example Sentences

Collagen normally gives tissue structure and strength, but excessive collagen can make a valve thicker and stiffer, changing its shape and movement.

From Science Daily • Jul. 12, 2026

Historically, “Russia’s size has been its strength and advantage,” said Nigel Gould-Davies, a former U.K. diplomat in Russia and a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 11, 2026

“So it’s kind of an interesting thing that relative strength can improve for just about everything else when it has been a narrow tech-led environment,” she said.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 10, 2026

Les Bleus were frustrated by Paraguay before finding a way to win – and I suspect Deschamps' side will have too much firepower for Spain, while their strength in depth from the bench is eye-watering.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026

With food inside him, a little strength returned to his limbs, but his mind was still strangely unclear.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• clout
• courage
• durability
• energy
• firmness
• fortitude
• health
• power
• stability
• tenacity
• toughness
• vigor
• vitality