Definition

Noun 1. The ability or power to withstand hardship, stress, or a prolonged difficult situation without giving way. It refers to mental or physical stamina and resilience. 2. The fact or state of lasting, surviving, or enduring over time.

Usage

Endurance is an uncountable noun. It describes a quality or capacity. It is often used with verbs like have, test, build, require, and demonstrate.

Examples

1. Physical Stamina:
   • Long-distance running requires great endurance.
   • The athlete's endurance was tested in the grueling triathlon.
2. Mental/Emotional Resilience:
   • She showed remarkable endurance during the difficult negotiations.
   • The job demands both skill and endurance under pressure.
3. Lasting Quality:
   • The endurance of their friendship through the years was inspiring.
   • This theory has shown surprising endurance in the scientific community.

Advanced Usage

• Beyond endurance: Used to describe a situation that is too difficult or painful to bear.
  • The constant noise was beyond endurance.
• Stamina vs. Endurance: While often used interchangeably, can more specifically refer to the energy for sustained activity, while emphasizes the capacity to withstand hardship or fatigue over time.

Variants and Related Words

• Endure (verb): To suffer patiently or to last.
  • She endured the pain. / A legend that endures for centuries.
• Enduring (adjective): Lasting over a long period.
  • an enduring peace / an enduring masterpiece

Synonyms

• Stamina
• Fortitude
• Resilience
• Staying power
• Perseverance (often implies active persistence toward a goal)

Antonyms

• Weakness
• Fragility
• Impatience

Related Idioms and Phrases

• The patience of Job: An idiom describing extreme patience and endurance, referencing the biblical figure.
  • You need the patience of Job to work with young children all day.

Noun

1. a state of surviving; remaining alive
2. the power to withstand hardship or stress
   • the marathon tests a runner's endurance