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Definition of strength noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

strength

noun
 OPAL WOPAL S
 
/streŋkθ/
 
/streŋkθ/
Word Family
  • strong adjective
  • strongly adverb
  • strength noun
  • strengthen verb
Idioms
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    being physically strong

  1.  
     [uncountable, singular] the quality of being physically strong
    • He pushed against the rock with all his strength.
    • It may take a few weeks for you to build up your strength again.
    • She gradually regained strength in her legs.
    • He had a physical strength that matched his outward appearance.
    • strength to do something She didn't have the strength to walk any further.
    opposite weakness (1)
    Extra Examples
    • He got the door open with brute strength.
    • He had just enough strength to reach for the phone.
    • She threw the rope with all her strength.
    • The series of steep hills sapped the cyclists' strength.
    • The Moroccan athlete ran a fast lap to test the strength of the other runners.
    • She summoned up every ounce of strength she possessed.
    • She pushed him away with unexpected strength.
    • It's well known that cycling builds leg strength.
    • It took all his strength to open the box.
    • I'm trying to summon up the strength to do some more work.
    • I'm still not quite back to full strength after my illness.
    • His superior physical strength won him the title.
    • They believe their combined strength will overwhelm the competition.
    • Her strength was ebbing fast, so her children were called to her bedside.
    • He used to entertain people with his feats of strength.
    • The fitness program will help you maintain your strength and endurance.
    • Pilates will build up muscle strength.
    • These exercises are a great way to increase strength while maintaining flexibility.
    • Older adults need strength training to keep their muscle mass and their bone density.
    • Bicep curls develop arm strength.
    Topics Health and Fitnessb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • considerable
    • enormous
    • great
    • …
    verb + strength
    • have
    • possess
    • lack
    • …
    strength + verb
    • grow
    • increase
    • decline
    • …
    preposition
    • up to strength
    • below strength
    • under strength
    • …
    phrases
    • at full strength
    • back to full strength
    • every ounce of strength
    • …
    See full entry
  2.  
     [uncountable] the ability that something has to resist force or hold heavy weights without breaking or being damaged
    • the strength of a rope
    • The panels are reinforced with steel for extra strength.
    see also industrial-strength
    Extra Examples
    • The steel adds tensile strength to the concrete.
    • The metal reinforcement gives it the strength to resist the high winds.
    • The material has exceptionally high strength for its weight.
    • The shape provides maximum size and strength, using minimum steel.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • considerable
    • enormous
    • great
    • …
    verb + strength
    • have
    • possess
    • lack
    • …
    strength + verb
    • grow
    • increase
    • decline
    • …
    preposition
    • up to strength
    • below strength
    • under strength
    • …
    phrases
    • at full strength
    • back to full strength
    • every ounce of strength
    • …
    See full entry
    3.

    being brave

  3.  
     [uncountable, singular] the quality of being brave and determined in a difficult situation
    • During this ordeal he was able to draw strength from his faith.
    • She has a remarkable inner strength.
    • You have shown great strength of character.
    opposite weakness (2)
    Extra Examples
    • My childhood memories were a great source of strength to me after my parents died.
    • Their reaction was so encouraging it gave me the strength to carry on.
    • She was able to draw on her immense inner strength.
    • I draw great strength from the support of my family.
    • When she had twins, she discovered reserves of strength that she didn't know she had.
    • Her love and support gave me the strength and the courage to persevere.
    • He put all his strength into reorganizing the department.
    • She took strength from the amount of people who turned up to the funeral.
    • Thank you for being such a pillar of strength.
    • After she died, I found strength in so many small things.
    • The situation tested the strength of her faith.
    • “Give me strength!” she said under her breath.
    Topics Personal qualitiesb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • considerable
    • enormous
    • great
    • …
    verb + strength
    • have
    • possess
    • lack
    • …
    strength + verb
    • grow
    • increase
    • decline
    • …
    preposition
    • up to strength
    • below strength
    • under strength
    • …
    phrases
    • at full strength
    • back to full strength
    • every ounce of strength
    • …
    See full entry
    4.

    power/influence

  4.  
     [uncountable] the power and influence that somebody/something has
    • Political power depends upon economic strength.
    • Their superior military strength gives them a huge advantage.
    • to negotiate from a position of strength
    • The rally was intended to be a show of strength by the socialists.
    opposite weakness (2)
    Extra Examples
    • The country's economic strength is declining.
    • Today's vote is being seen as a test of strength for the government.
    • Her unwillingness to answer questions undermined the strength of her position.
    • The dispute developed into a trial of strength between management and the union.
    • The party are gaining political strength.
    • Consumer price falls will depend on the strength and speed of the economic recovery.
    • The film has a power and strength that gets you involved in the story.
    • The prosecution lawyer emphasized the strength of the evidence against him.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • considerable
    • enormous
    • great
    • …
    verb + strength
    • have
    • possess
    • lack
    • …
    strength + verb
    • grow
    • increase
    • decline
    • …
    preposition
    • up to strength
    • below strength
    • under strength
    • …
    phrases
    • at full strength
    • back to full strength
    • every ounce of strength
    • …
    See full entry
    5.

    of opinion/feeling

  5.  
     [uncountable] how strong or deeply felt an opinion or a feeling is
    • the strength of public opinion
    • This view has recently gathered strength (= become stronger or more widely held).
    • I was surprised by the strength of her feelings.
    • I have been overwhelmed by the strength of feeling that people have about this issue.
    Extra Examples
    • The opinion that the president should stand down has gained considerable strength.
    • The council should be aware of the strength of public opinion on homelessness.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • considerable
    • enormous
    • great
    • …
    verb + strength
    • have
    • possess
    • lack
    • …
    strength + verb
    • grow
    • increase
    • decline
    • …
    preposition
    • up to strength
    • below strength
    • under strength
    • …
    phrases
    • at full strength
    • back to full strength
    • every ounce of strength
    • …
    See full entry
    6.

    advantage

  6.  
     [countable] a quality or an ability that a person or thing has that gives them an advantage
    • The ability to keep calm is one of her many strengths.
    • the strengths and weaknesses of an argument
    • The new weapon's strength lies in its accuracy.
    opposite weakness (3)
    Extra Examples
    • Consider all the strengths and weaknesses of the argument.
    • What's your greatest strength?
    • We want to learn more about the relative strengths of our students.
    • Her great strength lies in her flexibility.
    • The company's key strength is its people.
    • The team may not have the best players, but it plays to its strengths.
    • Her strength as an architect is in building design.
    • Each song shows the tremendous strength of the band.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • great
    • real
    • individual
    • …
    verb + strength
    • capitalize on
    • exploit
    • play to
    • …
    strength + verb
    • come from something
    • lie in something
    phrases
    • strengths and weaknesses
    See full entry
    7.

    of natural force

  7.  
     [uncountable] how strong a natural force or a signal is
    • the strength of the sun
    • wind strength
    • the strength and direction of the tide
    • The phone company aims to improve signal strength within buildings.
    8.

    of taste/substance

  8. [uncountable, countable] how strong a particular taste or substance is
    • Add more curry powder depending on the strength required.
    • a range of beers with different strengths (= with different amounts of alcohol in them)
    • a packet of double-strength mints
    • These wines vary in strength between 11° and 15°.
    9.

    of currency

  9. [uncountable] strength (of something) (against something) how strong a country’s currency is in relation to other countries’ currencies
    • the relative strength of the dollar against the euro
    • The euro has continued to gain strength.
    • the continuing strength of the pound
    opposite weakness (4)

    10. number in group

  10. [uncountable] the number of people in a group, a team or an organization
    • The strength of the workforce is about to be doubled from 3 000 to 6 000.
    • The team will be back at full strength (= with all the best players) for the next match.
    • up to strength The Korean team was not up to strength for the final.
    • in strength The protesters turned out in strength (= in large numbers).
    • under/below strength These cuts have left the local police force under strength (= with fewer members than it needs).
    see also under-strength
    Extra Examples
    • the numerical strength of the opposition in Congress
    • Coalition troop strength in the region dropped to 3 500.
    • The orchestra was at full strength for the Mahler symphony.
    • Injuries meant that the Dutch team was below strength for the final.
    • The Chilean team was below strength for the final.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • considerable
    • enormous
    • great
    • …
    verb + strength
    • have
    • possess
    • lack
    • …
    strength + verb
    • grow
    • increase
    • decline
    • …
    preposition
    • up to strength
    • below strength
    • under strength
    • …
    phrases
    • at full strength
    • back to full strength
    • every ounce of strength
    • …
    See full entry
    11. Word OriginOld English strengthu, from the Germanic base of strong.
Idioms
go from strength to strength
  1. to become more and more successful
    • Since her appointment the department has gone from strength to strength.
    Topics Successc1
on the strength of something
  1. because somebody has been influenced or persuaded by something
    • I got the job on the strength of your recommendation.
    • She hopes to secure a recording contract on the strength of these songs.
strength in depth
  1. the quality of being strong because you have a great variety of good people, ideas, etc. that can contribute to the success of something
    • The French team does not have the strength in depth that the Australians have.
there's strength in numbers
  1. (saying) being in a group gives you more power
    • There's strength in numbers, so encourage your friends and family to join us.
a tower of strength
  1. a person that you can rely on to help, protect and comfort you when you are in trouble
    • He was a tower of strength to his sisters when their father died.
See strength in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee strength in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: strength

Nearby words

dizzy
adjective
 
 
From the Topic
Health problems
C1
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