strategy

noun

strat·​e·​gy ˈstra-tə-jē 

plural strategies

1

a(1)

: the science and art of employing the political, economic, psychological, and military forces of a nation or group of nations to afford the maximum support to adopted policies in peace or war

(2)

: the science and art of military command exercised to meet the enemy in combat under advantageous conditions

b

: a variety of or instance of the use of strategy

2

a

: a careful plan or method : a clever stratagem

b

: the art of devising or employing plans or stratagems toward a goal

3

: an adaptation or complex of adaptations (as of behavior, metabolism, or structure) that serves or appears to serve an important function in achieving evolutionary success

foraging strategies of insects

Synonyms

• plan
• blueprint
• program
• scheme

Examples of strategy in a Sentence

They are proposing a new strategy for treating the disease with a combination of medications.

The government is developing innovative strategies to help people without insurance get medical care.

a specialist in campaign strategy

Recent Examples on the Web

Ahead of the latest shutdown deadline, OMB circulated guidance telling agencies to submit workforce reduction strategies, a move unions and legal experts warn is a blueprint for mass layoffs during a funding lapse. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

In recent years, Peloton has tried a few different strategies to build out the commercial side of its business through partnerships with hotels and universities. —Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025

At first, the state regulators tried various strategies to educate customers about the addictive nature of gambling, as well as the financial risks. —Karen Brown, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025

Cooperations are one key strategy for the future of the streamer in Spain, Fábregas signaled, calling co-productions a new emerging model and mentioning two upcoming co-productions that have yet to be announced. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek stratēgia generalship, from stratēgos

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing strategy

• counter-strategy
• exit strategy

Kids Definition

strategy

noun

strat·​e·​gy ˈstrat-ə-jē 

plural strategies

1

: the science and art of employing the forces of a country in peace or war

especially : the science and art of military command exercised to meet the enemy in combat under favorable conditions

2

a

: a careful plan or method

b

: the art of making or employing plans or tricks to achieve a goal

Medical Definition

strategy

noun

strat·​e·​gy ˈstrat-ə-jē 

plural strategies

: an adaptation or complex of adaptations (as of behavior, metabolism, or structure) that serves or appears to serve an important function in achieving evolutionary success