Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - strength

~ n 1 »PHYSICAL STRENGTH« the physical power and energy that makes someone strong  (It took Susan weeks to regain her strength after the illness. | the strength to do sth)  (I don't have the strength to climb any further. | with all your strength)  (Diana pulled on the rope with all her strength. | not know your own strength (=not realize how strong you are))  (- see also outgrow your strength outgrow (4)) 2 »OF AN OBJECT« how strong an object or structure is, especially its ability to last for a long time without breaking + of  (I have doubts about the strength of that beam in the ceiling.) 3 »OF CHARACTER« the ability to deal with difficult or unpleasant situations in a brave or determined way  (moral strength | strength to do sth)  (Where did you find the strength to keep trying? | strength of character (=strong ability to deal with difficult situations))  (the underlying strength of character behind Roosevelt's easy charm | inner strength (=strength of spirit))  (His troubles have bred in him an inner strength he'll never lose.)  (- see also tower of strength tower1 (3)) 4 »OF FEELING/BELIEF/RELATIONSHIP« how strong a feeling, belief, or relationship is + of  (We can't ignore the strength of public opinion. | the strength of family bonds) strength of feeling  (Don't underestimate the strength of feeling that the abortion issue will generate. | strength of purpose (=determination))  (I began to feel my strength of purpose failing me.) 5 »POLITICAL/MILITARY/ECONOMIC« political, military or economic power + of  (the strength of the US economy | a show of strength (=an occasion when a country shows how powerful its army etc is)) 6 »OF A SUBSTANCE/MIXTURE« how strong a substance or mixture is  (The drug is available in two strengths. | full-strength/half-strength/double-strength etc)  (acid diluted to half-strength) 7 »USEFUL QUALITY OR ABILITY« a particular quality or ability that gives someone or something an advantage  (The great strength of our plan lies in its simplicity.) 8 position of strength a position where you have an advantage over someone, especially in discussions  (If we keep our nuclear weapons, we can negotiate from a position of strength.) 9 »OF A TEAM/ARMY ETC« the number of people in a team, army etc  (below strength)  (The police force is below strength at the moment. | in strength (=in large numbers)) 10 »OF MONEY« the value of a country's money + of  (the strength of the dollar on the international money markets) 11 »COLOUR/LIGHT« how strong a light or colour is  (the strength of the beam of light) 12 »OF A WIND/CURRENT« how strong a wind or current of water is 13 go from strength to strength to have one success after another  (Since the advent of the personal computer, the software industry has gone from strength to strength.) 14 on the strength of sth because of something that persuaded you  (I bought the book on the strength of your recommendation.) 15 give me strength spoken used when you are annoyed or angry about something