Endurance

ɪnˈdjʊərəns

nounmediumVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

1

The power of continuing to bear a hardship or adversity; the capacity of or the ability to last, or to withstand a strain.

ɪnˈdjʊərəns

nounneutralmedium
General

The ability to withstand hardship or adversity.

The hikers showed incredible endurance, climbing for hours in the freezing rain.

💡 Simply: Endurance is like when you're playing a long video game, or running a long race, and you have to keep going even when you're tired. It's about sticking with it!

👶 For kids: Endurance means being able to keep going, even when something is hard or takes a long time.

More Examples

2

Physical training can improve one's endurance.

3

She demonstrated remarkable endurance during the crisis.

How It's Used

Sports

"Marathon runners need a lot of endurance to complete the race."

Psychology

"Her endurance in the face of adversity was remarkable."

Military

"The soldiers' endurance was tested during the harsh training exercises."

Idioms & expressions

test of endurance

A situation that requires great stamina or perseverance.

"The marathon was a true test of endurance for all the runners."

From Middle English enduren, from Old French endurer, from Latin indurāre ('to harden, make firm'), from in- ('in, on') + durus ('hard').

The word endurance has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to the act of enduring or suffering something.

Memory tip

Think of a long, hard journey. Endurance is the strength you need to keep going until the end.

endurenceendurrance

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written