Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality or state of being physically strong: The capacity of a person or object to withstand force, pressure, or stress.
   • The emotional or mental power to endure adversity: Resilience or fortitude of character.
   • The potency, intensity, or effectiveness of something: The degree of concentration, power, or influence possessed by a substance, argument, signal, or feeling.
   • A good or beneficial quality or attribute: A source of power, advantage, or support.
   • The number of people comprising a group, team, or organization: The full complement of personnel.

Examples of Usage

• Physical Power:
  • He lifted the heavy box with ease, demonstrating his great strength.
  • The bridge was tested for its structural strength.
• Mental/Emotional Resilience:
  • She showed incredible strength in dealing with the loss.
• Potency or Intensity:
  • The strength of the coffee was too much for me.
  • The strength of her conviction persuaded everyone.
• Beneficial Attribute:
  • Patience is one of her greatest strengths.
• Number of People:
  • The police force was present in full strength.

Advanced Usage

• "On the strength of (something)": Based on the authority, evidence, or encouragement provided by something.
  • He was hired on the strength of his excellent portfolio.
• "To go from strength to strength": To become increasingly successful or powerful.
  • Since its launch, the company has gone from strength to strength.
• "A tower of strength": A person who provides strong, reliable support, especially in times of trouble.
  • My sister was a tower of strength when I was ill.

Variants and Related Words

• Strengthen (verb): To make or become stronger.
  • Exercises to strengthen your core muscles.
• Strong (adjective): Having the power to move heavy weights or perform physically demanding tasks; powerful.
  • He is very strong.
• Strengthful (adjective, less common): Full of strength.

Synonyms

• Power: The ability to do something or act in a particular way.
• Force: Physical power or strength.
• Potency: The power of something to influence or make an impression.
• Fortitude: Courage in pain or adversity.
• Resilience: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.

Related Phrases

• Measure one's strength against someone: To compete with someone to see who is stronger.
  • He was eager to measure his strength against the champion.
• In strength: In large numbers.
  • Protesters arrived in strength.

Related Idioms

• A chain is no stronger than its weakest link: A group or system is only as strong or successful as its weakest member.
  • We must train everyone well; a chain is no stronger than its weakest link.
• Strength in numbers: The idea that being part of a large group makes one safer or more powerful.
  • The small birds flock together for strength in numbers.

Noun

1. permanence by virtue of the power to resist stress or force
   • they advertised the durability of their products
2. the condition of financial success
   • the strength of the company's stock in recent weeks
3. capacity to produce strong physiological or chemical effects
   • the toxin's potency
   • the strength of the drinks
4. the amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation)
   • he adjusted the intensity of the sound
   • they measured the station's signal strength
5. the power to induce the taking of a course of action or the embracing of a point of view by means of argument or entreaty
   • the strength of his argument settled the matter
6. an asset of special worth or utility
   • cooking is his forte
7. physical energy or intensity
   • he hit with all the force he could muster
   • it was destroyed by the strength of the gale
   • a government has not the vitality and forcefulness of a living man
8. capability in terms of personnel and materiel that affect the capacity to fight a war
   • we faced an army of great strength
   • politicians have neglected our military posture
9. the property of being physically or mentally strong
   • fatigue sapped his strength