strategy

noun

strat·​e·​gy ˈstra-tə-jē 

plural strategies

1

a

: a careful plan or method for achieving a particular goal usually over a long period of time

This has proven to be an ironclad success strategy for our team and for our clients.

—Scott Curran

What went into the strategy and promotion of the show was also key.

—Griselda Flores

b

: the art of devising or employing plans or methods toward a goal

The production of mezcal involves a process that requires craftwork, strategy, and patience.

—Basem Wasef

2

a(1)

: the science and art of employing the political, economic, psychological, and military forces of a nation or group of nations to provide the maximum support of adopted policies in peace or war

Military strategy is officially defined as the highest level in the field of military art, constituting a system of scientific knowledge concerning the phenomena and laws of armed conflict. By definition, military strategy is wholly concerned with the problems that armed conflict presents to a nation as a whole.

—William Baxter

(2)

: the science and art of military command exercised to meet the enemy in combat under advantageous conditions

b

: a variety of or instance of the use of strategy

3

: an adaptation or complex of adaptations (as of behavior, metabolism, or structure) that serves or appears to serve an important function in achieving evolutionary success

foraging strategies of insects

Synonyms of strategy

• plan
• blueprint
• program
• scheme

Examples of strategy in a Sentence

They are proposing a new strategy for treating the disease with a combination of medications.

The government is developing innovative strategies to help people without insurance get medical care.

a specialist in campaign strategy

Recent Examples on the Web

The move suggests a broader shift in Tehran, where a new generation of leaders is increasingly abandoning the cautious, reactive approach that long defined the Islamic Republic’s strategy towards its adversaries. —Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 10 June 2026

None of these strategies would work to represent a dog smelling. —Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

Delrahim’s letter claims that this argument overlooks Disney’s modifications to its feature film release strategy before buying Fox, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Disney’s theatrical release strategy, and an increase in wide-release theatrical films in the US from 2019 to 2025. —Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026

Alibaba is not a Chinese military company nor part of any military-civil fusion strategy. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek stratēgia generalship, from stratēgos

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing strategy

• counter-strategy
• exit strategy

Kids Definition

strategy

noun

strat·​e·​gy ˈstrat-ə-jē 

plural strategies

1

: the science and art of employing the forces of a country in peace or war

especially : the science and art of military command exercised to meet the enemy in combat under favorable conditions

2

a

: a careful plan or method

b

: the art of making or employing plans or tricks to achieve a goal

Medical Definition

strategy

noun

strat·​e·​gy ˈstrat-ə-jē 

plural strategies

: an adaptation or complex of adaptations (as of behavior, metabolism, or structure) that serves or appears to serve an important function in achieving evolutionary success