potency

noun po·ten·cy \ ˈpō-tᵊn(t)-sē \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Examples: potency in a Sentence

Definition of potency

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 1

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Examples of potency in a Sentence

The drug can improve sexual potency.
vitamins of high potency that should be taken only in the proper dosage

Recent Examples of potency from the Web

Its potency — musically, lyrically, vocally, emotionally — was overwhelming, palpable.

— devon maloney, The Verge, "If serpentwithfeet is the future of music, maybe humanity will win after all," 8 June 2018
And here’s a tip: Put minced shallot, onion or garlic in a strainer and run under hot water to curb the potency.

— jan uebelherr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "5 for summer: Master these seasonal staples for those sunny days ahead," 15 May 2018
The strength of cannabis, the potency of THC percentage by weight.

— OregonLive.com, "OHSU doc drafts cannabis primer for other doctors," 15 Feb. 2018
The meeting is intended to determine the right strains of medical marijuana, the form, potency, and method of administration to treat each patient’s ailments, co-owner Steven O said.

— sam wood, Philly.com, "Philly's first medical marijuana dispensary opens in Fishtown," 30 May 2018
Leave them on from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the potency (10 percent or 15 percent hydrogen peroxide concentration).

— barret wertz, GQ, "The Best Teeth-Whitening Products for Any Budget," 14 May 2018
That's not a sign of Corcoran's weakness, necessarily, but of the questionable potency of being House speaker.

— emily l. mahoney, miamiherald, "Florida's second most powerful Republican just passed on the governor's race | Miami Herald," 9 May 2018
The Hymenoptera stood for years as the textbook example of kin selection’s potency, and many biologists got on board with it.

— jordana cepelewicz, Scientific American, "The Elusive Calculus of Insect Altruism," 26 Apr. 2018
First responders sometimes have to use multiple doses of naloxone because of the potency of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and carfentanil.

— andrew joseph, STAT, "In rare advisory, surgeon general urges public to carry overdose-reversal medication," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'potency.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of potency

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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potency Synonyms

POTENCY Defined for English Language Learners

potency

noun

Definition of potency for English Language Learners

: the power to influence someone
: the strength or effectiveness of something
: the ability of a man to have sex

Medical Dictionary

potency

noun po·ten·cy \ ˈpōt-ᵊn-sē \

medical Definition of potency

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

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potency

Definition of potency

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POTENCY Defined for English Language Learners

potency

Definition of potency for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

potency

medical Definition of potency

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