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

This restriction, however, does not apply to a medical cannabis combination business or lower-potency hemp edible retailer. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025

Though the team needs more pitching this offseason, bringing in a slugger like Schwarber to bolster the potency of Boston's offense would be a major step toward becoming a contender. —Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

However, in March photos emerged of a series of new barge-like PLA ships dubbed Shuiqiao that can link together to form a loading dock from over a half-mile out to sea—drastically boosting Beijing’s land invasion potency. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025

The market has become a competition of numbers, THC percentages climbing like stock tickers, potency sold as prestige. —Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 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