strength

noun

ˈstreŋ(k)th  ˈstren(t)th 

plural strengths ˈstreŋ(k)ths 

ˈstren(t)ths,

ˈstreŋks

1

: the quality or state of being strong : capacity for exertion or endurance

exercises to build body strength = strength-building exercises

a person of great physical strength

2

: the ability to resist being moved or broken by a force : solidity, toughness

the strength and durability of the material

bone strength

3

a

: the quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way

strength of character

… a five-minute film that touches on themes of building inner strength and developing a strong sense of self-worth.

—Natalie Proulx

… Antonia, graceful and rigid in her chair, breathed calmly in the strength of her convictions.

—Joseph Conrad

b

: a quality or feature that makes someone or something effective or useful : a strong attribute or inherent asset

the strengths and the weaknesses of the program

The occasion … invites consumers, corporations and visitors alike to champion the historic strengths and values of the Black family.

—Grace Tucker

… the book's strength lies in the subtlety of its argument.

—Sheila Tobias

4

a

: degree of potency of effect or of concentration

chili peppers in varying strengths

regular/extra strength cough medicine

—often used in combination

a cleaning solution that should be used at half-strength

industrial-strength floor cleaner

b

: velocity or amount of flow

the strength of the wind

The goal is to not hit the ball the same way twice in a row: vary the spin, the speed, the strength.

—Han Ong

c

: intensity of light, color, sound, or odor

But presently the light burst forth with sudden strength …

—George Eliot

d

: force of expression or treatment

She was content to fight her own battle with her own weapons, feeling secure in her own strength of purpose and strength of wit.

—Anthony Trollope

e

: degree of importance or credibility

the strength of the argument

a case dependent upon the strength of the evidence

5

a

: the power or influence of a group, organization, etc.

a movement that is gathering/gaining strength

the country's military/economic strength

Thousands attended the union's rally in a remarkable show of strength.

b

: force as measured in the number of people in a group, army, team, etc.

an army at full strength

The infantry regiment was the basic building block of armies in the neoclassical age. … British regiments were usually about a thousand men at full strength …

—Larry H. Addington

Practicing strength in numbers, the aggressive birds … drive off an uninvited … jackal from the banquet.

—National Geographic

6

: one regarded as embodying or affording support

You are my love and my strength.

my strength in times of trouble

7

a

: the value of a country's currency as compared to that of other countries

the strength of the dollar

b

: the financial condition of something

measuring the strength of the economy/market

8

: basis

—used in the phrase on the strength of

I saw the film on the strength of their recommendations.

Phrases

from strength to strength

: vigorously forward : from one high point to the next

an enviable career going from strength to strength

Synonyms of strength

• power
• energy
• muscle

Choose the Right Synonym for strength

power, force, energy, strength, might mean the ability to exert effort.

power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon.

the awesome power of flowing water

force implies the actual effective exercise of power.

used enough force to push the door open

energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work.

a worker with boundless energy

strength applies to the quality or property of a person or thing that makes possible the exertion of force or the withstanding of strain, pressure, or attack.

use weight training to build your strength

might implies great or overwhelming power or strength.

the belief that might makes right

Examples of strength in a Sentence

I was impressed by his strength.

She's doing exercises to build up the strength in her legs.

Don't work too hard. You need to conserve your strength for tomorrow.

Pull-ups increase upper body strength.

Working on a farm requires a lot of physical strength.

the strength and durability of the material

I pray that I'll have the strength to do what I have to do.

His determination shows real strength of character.

Her inner strength is an inspiration to us all.

Recent Examples on the Web

Founded in 1909 by respected local businessman Jabbar, the event was born at a time of growing resistance to British colonial rule as a way to promote unity, physical strength and cultural identity. —NPR, 25 Oct. 2025

Every race is unique, and factors such as fundraising, candidate strength and local issues all come into play. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025

Goaltending has been a constant strength, too. —Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

According to the research team, both classical and quantum models of gravity would produce entanglement at different strengths depending on variables such as mass, separation distance, and experiment duration. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English strengthe, from Old English strengthu; akin to Old High German strengi strong — more at strong

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing strength

• at full strength
• at half strength
• gather momentum/strength
• go from strength to strength
• industrial-strength
• in strength
• not know one's own strength
• on the strength of
• pillar of strength
• position of strength
• show of strength
• strength of purpose
• strength of will
• strength training
• tensile strength
• there is strength in numbers
• tower of strength
• with all one's strength

Rhymes for strength

• length

Kids Definition

strength

noun

ˈstreŋ(k)th 

1

: the quality or state of being strong

2

: power to resist force

3

: power to resist attack

4

a

: the power to have an effect

b

: degree of concentration

the strength of a liquid cleaner

c

: intensity of light, color, sound, or odor

5

: a strong quality

list the strengths and weaknesses of the book

6

: force as measured in numbers

army at full strength

7

: something or someone providing force or firmness : support entry 2

her family was her strength

Medical Definition

strength

noun

ˈstreŋ(k)th  ˈstren(t)th 

plural strengths ˈstreŋ(k)ths, ˈstren(t)ths, ˈstreŋks 

1

: the quality or state of being strong : capacity for exertion or endurance

2

: degree of potency of effect or of concentration

3

: degree of ionization of a solution

—used of acids and bases