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

Some critics have interpreted the ending as a glib last-minute twist that threatens to neutralize the story’s potency and dismisses the seriousness of the movie’s premise. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025

Shirley Jackson's prose is like a really great old whiskey and has that kind of potency to intoxicate. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025

Essential oils are not regulated for safety and potency by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). —Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2025

To boost its potency, researchers from the Department of Bioscience and Engineering at Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan developed new, stronger forms of the vitamin. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 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