stamina
STAM-uh-nuh
/ˈstæm.ɪ.nə/
The ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort; endurance.
Emphasizes sustained energy and resilience over an extended duration, combining mental grit and aerobic efficiency.
The story behind the word. Originally the plural of Latin 'stamen' (threads of life spun by the Fates). In classical mythology, your stamina determined how long your thread of life stretched, evolving in English to mean vital endurance.
Word relationships
- endurance: Focuses on holding out under physical hardship over time.
- strenuousness: Refers to the exertion required rather than the body's capacity to handle it.
- exhaustion: The total depletion of physical or mental energy.
- frailty: Lack of physical strength or endurance.
Commonly confused with
- strength: Strength is maximum force produced, whereas stamina is the ability to sustain effort over time.
Word family
- staminic (adjective): Relating to physical stamina (rare).
Collocations
- build stamina
- physical stamina
- test one's stamina
- remarkable stamina
Example sentences
- "Marathon runners train for months to build up the stamina needed to complete twenty-six miles." Long-distance running
Memory hook
Stamina keeps the thread of life spinning through long trials. Threads of the Fates: lasting power that keeps you going.
When not to use
Do not confuse with short bursts of explosive power, which are referred to as power or velocity.
Fun facts
- Until the 17th century, stamina in English was used as a plural noun meaning 'vital organ capabilities'.
Related words
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