effort

noun

ef·​fort ˈe-fərt 

-ˌfȯrt

1

: conscious exertion of power : hard work

a job requiring time and effort

2

: a serious attempt : try

making an effort to reduce costs

3

: something produced by exertion or trying

the novel was her most ambitious effort

4

: effective force as distinguished from the possible resistance called into action by such a force

5

: the total work done to achieve a particular end

the war effort

Synonyms

• elbow grease
• exertion
• expenditure
• labor
• pains
• sweat
• trouble
• while
• work

Examples of effort in a Sentence

He put a lot of effort into finishing the project on time.

It wasn't easy, but it was worth the effort.

We need to expend more effort.

The job will require a great deal of time and effort.

Our success is due to the combined efforts of many people.

Her efforts were rewarded with a new contract.

He lost the campaign despite the best efforts of his supporters.

Even though they didn't win, the team made a good effort.

Her early efforts at writing a novel were awkward.

Despite my best efforts, I never found out who she was.

Recent Examples on the Web

The effort announced this week comes shortly after Marquette laid out plans to cut $31 million from its budget over the next seven years. —Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024

The state does not study whether these efforts are working. —Kavitha Cardoza, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

Tough to know exactly what that hit will be because of some of the mitigation efforts. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

The efforts presented several challenges because of aircraft availability and weather conditions, the Coast Guard said, but eventually a Navy P-8 aircraft joined the search out of Kadena Air Force Base in Japan. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024

The effort lifted the 6-foot-5 junior from St. Augustine High School to team highs in batting average (.344) and home runs (11) and second in RBIs (30). —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024

But those efforts now seem likely to be too little, too late. —Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024

Greene has threatened to force a vote to oust Johnson over government spending and aid to Ukraine, although no other House Republicans have signed on to the effort. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024

Israel launched its effort to destroy Hamas there in the wake of the group’s Oct. 7 attack into Israel, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in the kidnapping of more than 250 others. —Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Old French esforz, esfort, from esforcier to force, from ex- + forcier to force

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing effort

• war effort
• make every effort
• counter-effort
• spare no effort
• without effort
• team effort

Kids Definition

effort

noun

ef·​fort ˈef-ərt 

-ˌȯrt

1

: hard work of mind or body

requires time and effort

2

: a serious attempt : try

made a good effort

3

: something produced by work

this painting was one of my best efforts

4

: the force applied to a simple machine (as a lever) in contrast to the force applied by it against a load