potency

noun

po·​ten·​cy ˈpō-tᵊn(t)-sē 

plural potencies

1

a

: force, power

b

: the quality or state of being potent

c

: the ability or capacity to achieve or bring about a particular result

2

: potentiality sense 1

Synonyms

• power
• strength
• energy
• muscle
• capacity

Examples of potency in a Sentence

The potency of her words changed many minds in the audience that night.

Any vitamin of high potency should only be taken in the proper dosage.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are other smaller objects too, collected and curated to best inspire, full of meaning and sentiment; the potency of these objects lies in their creative charge—their inherent inspirational potential just waiting to be drawn out through the process of writing. —Katie Da Cunha Lewin september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025

Their bond is not only believable but urgently real, setting the stage for a final act that would fail completely in the wrong hands but instead achieves full emotional potency. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2025

Unlike alcohol's standardized ABV (alcohol by volume) THC potency varies widely which makes dosing unpredictable. —Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2025

On the other hand, storing medications in hot or humid spaces may cause potency to decrease faster. —Ashley Wong, Health, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

potency

noun

po·​ten·​cy ˈpōt-ᵊn-sē 

plural potencies

: the quality or state of being potent

vitamins of high potency

especially : power to bring about a certain result

Medical Definition

potency

noun

po·​ten·​cy ˈpōt-ᵊn-sē 

plural potencies

: the quality or state of being potent: as

a

: chemical or medicinal strength or efficacy

a drug's potency

b

: the ability to copulate

—usually used of the male

c

: initial inherent capacity for development of a particular kind

cells with a potency for eye formation