resilience

noun

re·​sil·​ience ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s 

1

: the capability of a body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress

the resilience of rubber

Cold temperatures caused the material to lose resilience.

2

: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change

The rescue workers showed remarkable resilience in dealing with the difficult conditions.

Analysts pointed to consumer confidence as a sign of the economy's resilience.

Did you know?

Using Resilience Outside of Physics

In physics, resilience is the ability of an elastic material (such as rubber or animal tissue) to absorb energy (such as from a blow) and release that energy as it springs back to its original shape. The recovery that occurs in this phenomenon can be viewed as analogous to a person's ability to bounce back after a jarring setback. The word resilience derives from the present participle of the Latin verb resilire, meaning "to jump back" or "to recoil." The base of resilire is salire, a verb meaning "to leap" that also pops up in the etymologies of such sprightly words as sally and somersault.

Examples of resilience in a Sentence

… the concert remained a remarkable tribute to Dylan's resilience and continued relevance. —Susan Richardson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994

He squeezed the rubber with a clamp and then released it—demonstrating with this painfully simple experiment that the material lost its resilience and therefore its ability to flex rapidly enough to protect the rocket joint from tumultuous hot gases. —James Gleick, New York Times Book Review, 13 Nov. 1988

With amazing resilience the two tribes pulled together and set out to found a new town farther up the river. —Carolyn Gilman, American Indian Art Magazine, Spring 1988

It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature. Let any obstructing cause, no matter what, be removed in any way, even by death, and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment. —Bram Stoker, Dracula, 1897

The rescue workers showed remarkable resilience in dealing with the difficult conditions.

Cold temperatures caused the material to lose resilience.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since 2019, California has partnered with jurisdictions in 28 countries—touching more than a quarter of the world’s population, with a combined GDP in the tens of trillions of dollars—to cut greenhouse gases, enhance climate resilience and develop clean energy. —MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

Loosely centered on the ballet Don Quixote (which is based on the 1600s Spanish novel), Act 2 speaks to kids ages 5–8 about themes of resilience, compassion and friendship—values Copeland says shaped her early years. —Essence, 4 Nov. 2025

Returning feels like a homecoming — a celebration of our creativity, resilience, and excellence. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025

That mindset of resilience is now part of the company’s DNA. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see resilient

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

resilience

noun

re·​sil·​ience ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s 

1

: the ability of a body to regain its original size and shape after being compressed, bent, or stretched : elasticity

2

: the ability to recover from or adjust to misfortune or change

Medical Definition

resilience

noun

re·​sil·​ience ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s 

1

: the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress

2

: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change

emotional resilience