ENGLISH
REFERENCE

endurance

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɛndɝəns// UK //ɛndjˈɔːɹəns// en·durance

n. the ability to keep doing something difficult, unpleasant, or tiring for a long time. You need this to finish a marathon or deal with a long, hard day at work.

n. the capacity of an individual or object to withstand wear, pressure, or prolonged physical or mental exertion. Often used in athletic or psychological contexts to describe sustained effort.


SIMPLE

Running a marathon requires great physical endurance.

CONTEXTUAL

The arctic explorers showed incredible endurance as they trekked across the ice for three months in freezing temperatures.

COMPLEX

While the vessel's structural endurance was tested by the heavy pack ice, the crew's psychological resilience proved to be the more critical factor in their ultimate survival.

Synonyms
Origin

First attested in the late 15th century. From Middle French endurance, from Old French endurance. Morphologically endure + -ance.

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