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 of potency

• 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 city’s and county’s outreach efforts have expanded to include testing illicit street narcotics for their ingredients and potency, and making overdose-reversal medications more widely available in areas where opioid use is most common. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026

In addition, Maduro’s capture injects doubts about the potency of Chinese backing. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 Jan. 2026

Huang’s comments are apt to move the market, Ives believes, and Nvidia’s stock (up more than 1,300% in the past five years) attests to his potency as a prognosticator. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Jan. 2026

This is the book’s great potency. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026

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