strength

 
Pronunciation: /strɛŋθ, strɛŋkθ/

noun

[mass 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

Phrases

from strength

from a secure or advantageous position: it makes sense to negotiate from strength

give me strength!

used as an expression of exasperation or annoyance.

go from strength to strength

develop or progress with increasing success: his party has gone from strength to strength since he became leader

in strength

in large numbers: security forces were out in strength

on the strength of

on the basis or with the justification of: I joined the bank on the strength of an MA in English

the strength of

chiefly Australian/NZ the point or meaning of; the truth about: you’ve about got the strength of it, Mick

tower (or pillar) of strength

a person who can be relied upon to give a great deal of support and comfort to others: Liz had been an absolute tower of strength over Laura’s sudden departure

Derivatives

strengthless

adjective

Origin:

Old English strengthu, from the Germanic base of strong

Spelling help

Remember that strength is spelled with a g before the -th.

a man of great strength.