virtue

noun vir·tue \ ˈvər-(ˌ)chü \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: virtue in a Sentence

Definition of virtue

1 a : conformity to a standard of right : morality

b : a particular moral excellence

2 : a beneficial quality or power of a thing

3 : manly strength or courage : valor

4 : a commendable quality or trait : merit

5 : a capacity to act : potency

6 : chastity especially in a woman

7 virtues plural : an order of angels — see celestial hierarchy

—

virtueless

play \ˈvər-(ˌ)chü-ləs\ adjective

— by virtue of or in virtue of

: through the force of : by authority of

See virtue defined for English-language learners

See virtue defined for kids

Examples of virtue in a Sentence

He led me across the concrete floor, through a concrete warehouse, and to the concrete screening room, where he began to extol the virtue and beauty of his eleven-mile-long sewage interceptor. —Frederick Kaufman, Harper's, February 2008
Disinterestedness was the most common term the founders used as a synonym for the classical conception of virtue or self-sacrifice; it better conveyed the threats from interests that virtue seemed increasingly to face in the rapidly commercializing eighteenth century. —Gordon S. Wood, Revolutionary Characters, 2006
It was not only his title that made Poor Richard—and by extension [Benjamin] Franklin—an honorary Frenchman. He may well have devoted a great amount of ink to virtue and order, but he checked those concepts at the door of the beau monde; he made it clear that he was not too good for that world … —Stacy Schiff, A Great Improvisation, 2005
Nerviness is considered a virtue, a good machine, an energy that builds nations, businesses and dynasties. Handed down from generation to generation, like a caustic strand of DNA, it infects the unhappy, the unfortunate and the unlucky, and turns them into desperate strivers, prepared to do anything to realize their ridiculous ambitions. —David Byrne, The New Sins/Los Nuevos Pecados, 2001
Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall … —William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure, 1605
the virtue of wool as a clothing material is that it can provide insulation from the cold even when wet
a lady of honor and virtue

Recent Examples of virtue from the Web

By virtue of their names and, um, their entire premise—lining women up in a kind of sequin-coated cattle call—it‘s fair to say that beauty pageants haven‘t historically been the most feminist of endeavors.

— michelle ruiz, Vogue, "Can the Miss America Pageant Be Saved?," 5 June 2018
Countries that are reaching for a more expansive identity must eventually settle on the governing virtues that best reflect the values of the people.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "Saudi Arabia’s struggle to define national identity," 29 May 2018
On the sidelines, waiting for their turn at the task, the teamsters were more than happy to extol the virtues of their particular animal.

— janice steinhagen, Courant Community, "Draft Animals Break The Sod At Blue Slope Country Museum," 2 May 2018
Pecan growers and suppliers are hoping to sell U.S. consumers on the virtues of North America's only native nut as a hedge against a potential trade war with China, the pecan's largest export market.

— emilie schmall, USA TODAY, "Snack food alternative? US pecan growers using trade war to expand their consumer market," 25 Apr. 2018
Pecan growers and suppliers are hoping to sell U.S. consumers on the virtues of North America’s only native nut as a hedge against a potential trade war with China, the pecan’s largest export market.

— Washington Post, "US pecan growers seek to break out of the pie shell," 24 Apr. 2018
Donald Trump attended a roundtable discussion on his tax law Thursday, where he was supposed to sell the public on the virtues of his signature legislative achievement.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "President Trump Claims California’s Elections Are Illegitimate," 5 Apr. 2018
The ship had its virtues—the room-cleaners, the drink-deliverers—but this suits us better.

— james lynch, Popular Mechanics, "After the Storm," 9 Feb. 2018
But thoughtfulness and self-criticism have not always been among his virtues.

— will oremus, Slate Magazine, "Move Slow and Fix Things," 4 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'virtue.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of virtue

Middle English vertu, virtu, from Anglo-French, from Latin virtut-, virtus strength, manliness, virtue, from vir man — more at virile

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

virtue Synonyms

VIRTUE Defined for English Language Learners

virtue

noun

Definition of virtue for English Language Learners

: morally good behavior or character
: a good and moral quality
: the good result that comes from something

VIRTUE Defined for Kids

virtue

noun vir·tue \ ˈvər-chü \

Definition of virtue for Students

1 : morally good behavior or character

We were urged to lead lives of virtue.

2 : a good, moral, or desirable quality

Patience is a virtue.

3 : the good result that comes from something

I learned the virtue of hard work.

— by virtue of

: because of : through the force of

She succeeded by virtue of persistence.

History for virtue

From the Latin word vir, meaning “man,” the Romans formed the word virtus to describe such so-called “manly” qualities as firmness of purpose and courage. Gradually this word was used for any good qualities in males or females. The English word virtue came by way of French from Latin virtus.