stamina

noun

stam·​i·​na ˈsta-mə-nə 

1

: the bodily or mental capacity to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity : endurance

a workout program that builds strength and stamina

These horses are bred for speed and stamina.

The use of pharmaceuticals to enhance memory, focus, and mental stamina in healthy brains is known generally as cognitive enhancement …

—Paul McFedries

2

: the moral or emotional strength to continue with a difficult process, effort, etc. : staying power

The network of obligations to family and community underpinned the soldier's moral stamina …

—Joseph Allan Frank

Examples of stamina in a Sentence

Do you have the stamina to finish the job?

Recent Examples on the Web

Choosing performance and track stamina over energy efficiency takes a bite out of real-world driving range. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 Apr. 2024

Uphill Treadmill: To burn additional calories, try walking on the treadmill consistently to build stamina and core strength. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 26 Mar. 2024

While elite singles skating often rewards youth – requiring immense stamina to pull off quadruple jumps or triple-triple jump combinations – pairs skating comes with its own hazards. —Holly Yan, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024

Lively baits get the most attention, so maintain your runners’ stamina by removing them with a hook-out tool. —David A. Brown, Field & Stream, 7 Mar. 2024

Jost also addressed how Trump suggested that Biden was on cocaine during his State of the Union address last month–the same speech where Biden’s performance was widely seen as refuting right-wing criticisms of the president as lacking stamina. —William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2024

Welcome to the Rabbit Hole, a brand-new, decade-in-the-making museum of children’s literature founded by the only people with the stamina for such a feat: former bookstore owners. —Elisabeth Egan Chase Castor, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Mountain lions make up for their limited stamina by hunting from ambush; waiting for deer to move closer, or inching close to make a short, quick burst of speed to put them in killing range. —Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 28 Feb. 2024

The musicians are tight and Olivia has the vocal acuity and the stamina to keep the energy in the room turned up to eleven. —Eric Fuller, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, plural of stamen warp, thread of life spun by the Fates

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stamina

noun

stam·​i·​na ˈstam-ə-nə 

: vigor sense 1, endurance

Medical Definition

stamina

noun

stam·​i·​na ˈstam-ə-nə 

: the strength or vigor of bodily constitution : capacity for standing fatigue or resisting disease

restoration of weight, strength and stamina following recovery from major surgery

—Journal of the American Medical Association