effort

noun

ef·​fort ˈe-fərt How to pronounce effort (audio)
-ˌfȯrt
1
: conscious exertion of power : hard work
a job requiring time and effort
2
: a serious attempt : try
making an effort to reduce costs
3
: something produced by exertion or trying
the novel was her most ambitious effort
4
: effective force as distinguished from the possible resistance called into action by such a force
5
: the total work done to achieve a particular end
the war effort

Examples of effort in a Sentence

He put a lot of effort into finishing the project on time. It wasn't easy, but it was worth the effort. We need to expend more effort. The job will require a great deal of time and effort. Our success is due to the combined efforts of many people. Her efforts were rewarded with a new contract. He lost the campaign despite the best efforts of his supporters. Even though they didn't win, the team made a good effort. Her early efforts at writing a novel were awkward. Despite my best efforts, I never found out who she was.
Recent Examples on the Web The same person said the CIA Director Bill Burns, who has been leading the administration’s efforts in the negotiations, had a long meeting with Thani during the latter’s visit to Washington. Alex Marquardt, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Previous efforts to repeal the ban have failed, but last November lawmakers in the Michigan House voted along party lines to approve a nine-bill package that would repeal the existing ban and establish the Fertility Health Care Act. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024 Surrounded by campaign signs of Democrats past and present in the state party’s downtown headquarters, Harris encouraged a crowd of about 50 Democrats to engage other potential voters in a state that could prove critical to the Biden-Harris reelection effort. Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 In each case, those efforts are largely seen as chances to play spoilers, not actually win the White House. Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Pasquale Patrizio, a professor and physician at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, made this case in 2009, writing that legislative efforts to grant embryos the status of people had consistently failed. Daniel Gilbert, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 On Wednesday, Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who currently chairs the 15-member regional bloc known as CARICOM, acknowledged that efforts to find a consensus among key Haitian players still had not succeeded. Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 The events will be co-led by NATPE executive director Claire Macdonald, who will helm the sales effort as senior VP revenue NATPE and Realscreen, while Realscreen executive VP Mary Maddever will lead the content teams as executive content director for both events. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 The movie, which costars Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal — and, in an uncredited cameo, Miley Cyrus — is Coen’s first directorial effort since 2018’s The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and one of his only projects filmed without his brother. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'effort.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Old French esforz, esfort, from esforcier to force, from ex- + forcier to force

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of effort was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near effort

Cite this Entry

“Effort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effort. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

effort

noun
ef·​fort ˈef-ərt How to pronounce effort (audio)
-ˌȯrt
1
: hard work of mind or body
requires time and effort
2
: a serious attempt : try
made a good effort
3
: something produced by work
this painting was one of my best efforts
4
: the force applied to a simple machine (as a lever) in contrast to the force applied by it against a load

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