stamina

noun

stam·​i·​na ˈsta-mə-nə How to pronounce stamina (audio)
1
: the bodily or mental capacity to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity : endurance
a workout program that builds strength and stamina
These horses are bred for speed and stamina.
The use of pharmaceuticals to enhance memory, focus, and mental stamina in healthy brains is known generally as cognitive enhancement …Paul McFedries
2
: the moral or emotional strength to continue with a difficult process, effort, etc. : staying power
The network of obligations to family and community underpinned the soldier's moral staminaJoseph Allan Frank

Examples of stamina in a Sentence

Do you have the stamina to finish the job?
Recent Examples on the Web The switch to shorter reading passages has not been universally celebrated by English teachers, many of whom believe that in the face of constant distractions from technology, students need to develop greater reading stamina. Dana Goldstein, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Simulate Real Exam Conditions: Regularly practice full exam sections under timed conditions to build stamina and get accustomed to the exam’s pace. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024 Lunar New Year’s Day: Family visits and red packets The first few days of the Lunar New Year, especially the first two days, are often a test of one’s stamina, appetite and social skills, as many people have to travel and visit immediate family, other relatives and friends. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2024 With more than 10 months to go until Election Day, Biden has already been trying to spotlight both -- as the GOP hammers him over his stamina and inflation, immigration and foreign affairs. Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2024 Long-distance running necessitates a different kind of mental stamina. Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2024 Concerns about Biden’s popularity—and his age and stamina — have stoked increasingly loud chatter in the political world about what could happen if the president chose not to run again. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2024 Ability to monitor your party members' health, stamina and hygiene. The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2024 Trump's message of persecution and retribution, on top of openly questioning Biden's stamina and fitness, are expected to be at the core of his campaign, highlighted at what are expected to be a spree of his signature mega-rallies. Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stamina.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, plural of stamen warp, thread of life spun by the Fates

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stamina was in 1726

Dictionary Entries Near stamina

Cite this Entry

“Stamina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stamina. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stamina

noun
stam·​i·​na ˈstam-ə-nə How to pronounce stamina (audio)

Medical Definition

stamina

noun
stam·​i·​na ˈstam-ə-nə How to pronounce stamina (audio)
: the strength or vigor of bodily constitution : capacity for standing fatigue or resisting disease
restoration of weight, strength and stamina following recovery from major surgeryJournal of the American Medical Association
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