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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

endurance

ihn-DYOOR-ruhns

Endurance (noun) means the ability to keep going through hardship, effort, or pain over a long time. Example: “Running a marathon requires serious endurance.”

noun
1
The ability to keep going through hardship, effort, or pain over a long time.
"Running a marathon requires serious endurance."
"His endurance was tested during the long recovery from surgery."

How to Use Endurance

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStamina — the capacity to keep going despite difficulty.

Common pairings
endurance test endurance training physical endurance

Word Forms

endurances plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Running a marathon requires serious _____.

Etymology

From Old French endurance, from endurer ("to endure"), plus the suffix -ance.

Origin: Old French

Related Words

Rhymes for endurance

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “endurance” mean?

The word “endurance” means the ability to keep going through hardship, effort, or pain over a long time. In plain terms, stamina — the capacity to keep going despite difficulty.

How do you pronounce “endurance”?

“Endurance” is pronounced ihn-DYOOR-ruhns (/ɪnˈdʊɹəns/ in IPA).

How do you use “endurance” in a sentence?

Here is “endurance” used in a sentence: “Running a marathon requires serious endurance.”

What is another word for “endurance”?

Words with a similar meaning to “endurance” include thole.

What part of speech is “endurance”?

“Endurance” is a noun.

Where does the word “endurance” come from?

The word “endurance” comes from Old French. From Old French endurance, from endurer ("to endure"), plus the suffix -ance.

Is “endurance” a common word?

“Endurance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What is the difference between endurance and stamina?

Endurance refers broadly to the ability to keep going through hardship, effort, or pain over a long time, and can apply to physical, mental, or emotional situations. Stamina usually refers more specifically to physical energy and strength needed to sustain prolonged activity.

What is an endurance event?

An endurance event is a physical challenge, such as a marathon or triathlon, designed to test how long a person can sustain effort under difficult conditions. The term highlights the sustained, long-term nature of the challenge rather than short bursts of speed or strength.

What is the difference between endurance and resilience?

Endurance is the ability to keep going through hardship over time, while resilience is the ability to recover and bounce back after difficulty or setback. Someone can show endurance during a hardship and resilience afterward in how they recover from it.

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