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

Estriol, on the other hand, is low potency and used in products like estrogen face cream, including Alloy products. —Jessica Hartshorn, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025

Sheen’s drug dealer and friend Marco helped wean him off crack by reducing its potency over time. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025

This dangerous rise in potency may not be clear to consumers, experts fear. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025

By the time Vanderbilt unspools that same iconic, wrenching footage that Kramer used decades ago, its potency feels different. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 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