endurance

noun

en·​dur·​ance in-ˈdu̇r-ən(t)s How to pronounce endurance (audio)
-ˈdyu̇r-,
en-
1
: the ability to withstand hardship or adversity
especially : the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity
a marathon runner's endurance
2
: the act or an instance of enduring or suffering
endurance of many hardships
3
: permanence, duration
the endurance of the play's importance

Examples of endurance in a Sentence

The exercise program is designed to increase both strength and endurance. the endurance of his love for his wife was not arrested even by her death
Recent Examples on the Web Still, even while stressing their extraordinary endurance, Durkin never loses sight of what was lost. Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 Part of horror’s endurance at the box office has been attributed to the unique experience of seeing something scary in a theater with a group, which is hard to replicate on the couch. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Some are for serious endurance runners, others include doughnuts (for charity) and dogs. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 23 Feb. 2024 Gradually he and Gasparini were won over by Summers’s seemingly boundless reserve of showbiz stories and the theme of endurance that ran through them. Dave Itzkoff, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024 In talking about the series’ endurance and everlasting presence, Gimple attributed that to the fans’ love of the series and the resonating depth of the characters. Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 9 Feb. 2024 The Mount Panorama track also hosts the Bathurst 1000 and Bathurst 12 Hour endurance races. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 29 Feb. 2024 Like her character, Diana Nyad, Bening is being positioned as an endurance artist, someone who has persevered through decades of show business. Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 Images of women testing their bodies’ endurance have been swirling about the universe lately. Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'endurance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of endurance was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near endurance

Cite this Entry

“Endurance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endurance. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

endurance

noun
en·​dur·​ance in-ˈd(y)u̇r-ən(t)s How to pronounce endurance (audio)
1
: the quality of lasting or of being permanent
2
: the ability to withstand hardship, adversity, or stress
athletes need to develop endurance
3
: suffering sense 1
endurance of many hardships

More from Merriam-Webster on endurance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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