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

The drugs included protonitazene and metonitazene, two synthetic opioids with respective potencies of 100 and 200 times more powerful than morphine, court documents say. —David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025

Myles Turner left Indiana too, which also brings down the Pacers potency for the coming season. —Tony East, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Besides, the Falcon is more than just sheer kilowatts-per-kilogram potency. —New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2025

Despite being a Florentine native and third-generation member of the club, Michele Nannelli, a convivial surgeon who has served as the club’s president since 2021, feels the beauty of experiencing his city through sport has never lost its potency. —Bennett Didonna, Air Mail, 16 Aug. 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