endurance
en-DUR-unss
/ɪnˈdjʊərəns/
the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.
Implies a struggle against time, pain, or fatigue. It is the 'grit' factor of physical health.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'indurare', meaning 'to make hard'. To have endurance is to have 'hardened' yourself against the elements or the pain of exertion.
Word relationships
- fortitude: Mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, whereas endurance is more physical.
- stamina: The actual energy capacity; endurance is the act of using that capacity through hardship.
- fragility: The quality of being easily broken or damaged.
- impatience: The tendency to be quickly irritated or provoked.
Commonly confused with
- duration: Duration is simply how long something lasts; endurance is the ability to survive that length of time.
Word family
- endure (verb): To suffer patiently.
- enduring (adjective): Lasting over a long period.
Collocations
- physical endurance
- test of endurance
- beyond endurance
Example sentences
- "The crew's endurance was tested to the limit during the long, freezing winter in the Antarctic." A historical account of exploration.
- "An Ironman triathlon is the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance." Describing a sports event.
Memory hook
Endurance: 'Endure-ance'—the ability to 'endure' the dance. Hardened against the struggle.
When not to use
Don't use it for short-term strength; it must involve a duration of time.
Fun facts
- The ship used by Ernest Shackleton for his famous 1914 Antarctic expedition was named 'Endurance'.
Explore more words
endure, perseverance, fortitude, hardship, stoic, long-suffering
Also appears in
- Travel & Culture → Adventure Sports & Recreation
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Track & Field Athletics
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Water & Aquatic Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Winter & Ice Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Racket & Court Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Motor & Racing Sports
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