vigor

noun

vig·​or ˈvi-gər How to pronounce vigor (audio)
1
: active bodily or mental strength or force
2
: active healthy well-balanced growth especially of plants
3
: intensity of action or effect : force
4
: effective legal status

Examples of vigor in a Sentence

She defended her beliefs with great vigor. she was picked to lead the volunteer group because of her vigor and enthusiasm
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Climate change, poverty, the savaged middle class, plagues and the rise of A.I. need to be faced now with far more vigor than when they were first realized back in my youth. Lizz Schumer, People.com, 16 July 2025 Siberian iris rhizomes spread over time to form a large clump of plants and can be easily divided every 3 to 4 years to provide more irises and restore vigor. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025 Watanabe leans into the final section with vigor, drawing out its celebratory intensity. Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 11 July 2025 Not surprisingly, there has long been a search for ways to restore vigor and zest to such organizations. Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for vigor

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vigour, from Anglo-French, from Latin vigor, from vigēre to be vigorous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vigor was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vigor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vigor. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

vigor

noun
vig·​or ˈvig-ər How to pronounce vigor (audio)
1
: active strength or energy of body or mind
2
: active strength or force

Medical Definition

vigor

variants or chiefly British vigour

More from Merriam-Webster on vigor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!