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strength definition

strength (streŋkt̸h, streŋt̸h; often strent̸h)

noun

  1. the state or quality of being strong; force; power; vigor
  2. the power to resist strain, stress, etc.; toughness; durability
  3. the power to resist attack; impregnability
  4. legal, moral, or intellectual force or effectiveness
    1. capacity for producing a reaction or effect
    2. potency or concentration, as of drugs, liquors, etc.
    3. great effectiveness or high potency
  6. intensity, as of sound, color, odor, etc.
  7. force as measured in numbers a battalion at full strength
  8. vigor or force of feeling or expression
  9. a source of strength or support
  10. a tendency to rise or remain firm in prices

Etymology: ME strengthe < OE strengthu < *strang-ithu: see strong & -th

strength Idioms

from strength to strength

from one accomplishment or peak to another, often in an increasing progression

on the strength of

based or relying on

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms strength idiom

telecom strength definition - telecom

strength Synonyms

strength

n.

  1. Power

    power, might, potency, force, vigor, brawn, energy, nerve, vitality, sinews, muscle, backbone, physique, thews, stoutness, health, toughness, fortitude, sturdiness, hardiness, stalwartness, tenacity, mana, robustness, soundness, durability.

    Antonyms weakness*, feebleness*, loss of energy.

  2. Intensity

    force, depth, concentration, fervor; see force 3, intensity 1.

strength refers to the inherent capacity to act upon or affect something, to endure, to resist, etc. the strength to lift something, tensile strength; power, somewhat more general, applies to the ability, latent or exerted, physical or mental, to do something the power of the press, of a machine, etc.; force usually suggests the actual exertion of power, esp. in producing motion or overcoming opposition the force of gravity, the rebellion was put down by force; might suggests great or overwhelming strength or power with all one's might; energy specifically implies latent power for doing work or affecting something the energy in an atom, campaigned with unflagging energy; potency refers to the inherent capacity or power to accomplish something the potency of a drug

on the strength of

reassured by, in view of, as a result of; see because, since 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

strength Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • combine: This hybrid approach combines the strength of a standards based model with that of continuous quality improvement.

Adjective modifier

  • tensile: Chains rarely fail because they do not have sufficient tensile strength.

Modifies a noun

  • endurance: Strength Endurance -- can you sustain your power output right up to the finish line?

Noun used with modifier

  • muscle: The optimal number of sets of an exercise to develop muscle strength remains controversial.

Preposition: in

  • depth: We have strength in depth, in all areas of advanced weapon defense technologies.

Preposition: of

  • sterling: The strength of sterling continues to take its toll on export orders.
strength usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

strength quotes

The quality of strength lined with tenderness is an unbeatable combination, as are intelligence and necessity when unblunted by formal education.

-Angelou, Maya originally MayaJohnson

There is a kind of strength that is almost frightening in black women. It's as if a steel rod runs right through the head down to the feet.

-Angelou, Maya originally MayaJohnson

  Le bonheur engloutit nos forces, comme le malheur e¤  teint nos vertus. Happiness engulfs our strength, just as misfortune extinguishes our virtues.

-Balzac, Honore¤   de

strength quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"strength." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/strength>

APA Style

strength. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/strength

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