plural
strengths
plural
strengths
Britannica Dictionary definition of STRENGTH
1
[noncount]
:
the quality or state of being physically strong
-
I don't have enough strength [=I'm not strong enough] to lift the box by myself.
-
I was impressed by his strength.
-
She's doing exercises to build up the strength in her legs.
-
Don't work too hard. You need to conserve/save your strength for tomorrow.
-
Pull-ups increase upper body strength.
-
muscular strength
-
Working on a farm requires a lot of physical strength.
-
He didn't mean to knock you down; he just doesn't know his own strength. [=doesn't realize how strong he really is]
-
She hit the ball with all her strength. [=she hit the ball as hard as she could]
-
She goes to the gym for strength training. [=activities that make muscles stronger]
2
[noncount]
:
the ability to resist being moved or broken by a force
3
[noncount]
:
the quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way
-
I pray that I'll have the strength to do what I have to do.
-
moral strength
-
His determination shows real strength of character.
-
Her inner strength is an inspiration to us all.
4
[count]
:
a quality or feature that makes someone or something effective or useful
—
opposite weakness
5
[noncount]
:
the power or influence of a group, organization, etc.
-
The antiwar movement is gathering/gaining strength. [=is becoming stronger and more effective]
-
The country has great military/economic strength.
-
There is strength in numbers. [=a group of people has more influence or power than one person]
-
We are negotiating from a position of strength. [=from a strong position; from a position that gives us an advantage]
-
The strike was intended as a show of strength by the union's leaders.
6
[noncount]
—
used to describe how strong or deeply held an emotion or opinion is
7
—
used to describe how powerful something is
[noncount]
-
the strength of the wind
-
This device measures the strength of radio signals.
-
maximum/regular/extra strength cough syrup
-
industrial-strength floor cleaner
-
The cleaning solution should be used at half-strength.
[count]
8
[noncount]
:
the number of people in a group, army, team, etc.
-
The battle cost the army about a quarter of its strength.
-
Now that the quarterback has recovered from his injury, this week the team will be functioning at full strength again. [=the team will have all its players again]
-
We're only at half strength today. [=only half the usual number of people are here today]
-
(chiefly Brit) The team is under/below strength today. [=the team does not have all of its players today]
-
The enemies attacked in strength. [=in great numbers]
9
[noncount]
a
:
the value of a country's money when it is compared to money from other countries
b
:
the financial condition of something
go from strength to strength
:
to become better or more successful as time passes
on the strength of
:
because of the influence of (something)
pillar of strength
—
see pillar
tower of strength
—
see 1tower