Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - strategic

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. Strategic means relating to the most important, general aspects of something such as a military operation or political policy, especially when these are decided in advance. ...the new strategic thinking which NATO leaders produced at the recent London summit... The island is of strategic importance to France. ADJ: usu ADJ n • strategically ...strategically important roads, bridges and buildings. ADV 2. Strategic weapons are very powerful missiles that can be fired only after a decision to use them has been made by a political leader. ...strategic nuclear weapons. ? tactical ADJ: usu ADJ n 3. If you put something in a strategic position, you place it cleverly in a position where it will be most useful or have the most effect. ...the marble benches Eve had placed at strategic points throughout the gardens, where the views were spectacular. ADJ: usu ADJ n • strategically We had kept its presence hidden with a strategically placed chair. ADV: usu ADV -ed