# stamina

/ˈstæmənə/ (US) · /stˈæmɪnɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stamina
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. endurance

noun · CEFR B2

the strength and energy that allow you to continue a difficult activity for a long time.

For teachers: the physical or mental capacity for sustained exertion or resistance to hardship and fatigue.

- You need a lot of stamina to run a full marathon without stopping.
- The long-distance cyclist demonstrated incredible stamina by maintaining a high speed throughout the final mountain stage of the race.

Usage: Usually uncountable; often used in contexts of sports, long work hours, or difficult life situations.

### 2. flower parts

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the plural form of 'stamen', which is the part of a flower that produces pollen.

For teachers: the plural form of stamen; the pollen-bearing male organs of a flower.

- The scientist looked closely at the stamina of the lily under a microscope.
- In certain older botanical texts, the term stamina is used to refer collectively to the androecium of the flowering plant.

Usage: The plural form 'stamina' is rare in modern botany; 'stamens' is the standard plural.

## Examples

- You need a lot of stamina to run a marathon.
- The long hours of the medical residency require both physical stamina and mental resilience.
- While the young athlete possessed explosive speed, he lacked the cardiovascular stamina required to maintain that intensity throughout the final quarter of the match.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.