strength

noun

• 1the quality or state of being physically strong:cycling can help you build up your strength
• the influence or power possessed by a person, organization, or country:the political and military strength of European governments
• the degree of intensity of a feeling or belief:street protests demonstrated the strength of feeling against the president
• the extent to which an argument or case is sound or convincing:the strength of the argument for property taxation
• the potency, intensity, or speed of a force or natural agency:the wind had markedly increased in strength
• Bridge the potential of a hand to win tricks, arising from the number and type of high cards it contains.

• 2the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure:they were taking no chances with the strength of the retaining wall
• the emotional or mental qualities necessary in dealing with difficult or distressing situations:many people find strength in religion it takes strength of character to admit one needs help

• 3the potency or degree of concentration of a drug, chemical, or drink:it’s double the strength of your average beer [count noun]:the solution comes in two strengths

• 4 [count noun] a good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person or thing:the strengths and weaknesses of their sales and marketing operation his strength was his obsessive single-mindedness
• literary a person or thing perceived as a source of mental or emotional support:he was my closest friend, my strength and shield

• 5the number of people comprising a group, typically a team or army:the peacetime strength of the army was 415,000
• a number of people required to make such a group complete:we are now more than 100 officers below strength some units will be maintained at full strength while others will rely on reserves [in combination]:an under-strength side