fortitude

noun

for·​ti·​tude ˈfȯr-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce fortitude (audio)
-ˌtyüd
1
: strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage
2
obsolete : strength

Did you know?

Fortitude comes from the Latin word fortis, meaning “strong,” and in English it has always been used primarily to describe strength of mind. For a time, the word was also used to mean “physical strength”; William Shakespeare used it that way in Henry VI, Part 1: “Coward of France! How much he wrongs his fame / Despairing of his own arm's fortitude.” But despite use by the Bard of Avon, that meaning languished and is now considered obsolete. Even the familiar phrase “intestinal fortitude” is just a humorous way to refer to someone’s courage or mental stamina, not the literal strength of their digestive system. (If you’re looking to describe such a gastrointestinal tract, we might suggest “iron stomach.”)

Examples of fortitude in a Sentence

… everyone in the family was succored by Elizabeth's fortitude and steadfastness. Nicholas Fox Weber, The Clarks Of Cooperstown, 2007
But now Frum, by having the fortitude to revisit that bizarre era, has half-persuaded me that the '70s, a partial negation of the '60s, in one way, were a partial confirmation of them in another. Christopher Hitchens, Civilization, April/May 2000
He learned that war was a hurly-burly of violence in which men prevailed through imagination and the fortitude to struggle on despite reverses. Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988
She has endured disappointments with fortitude and patience. it was only with the greatest fortitude that the Pilgrims were able to survive their first winter in Plymouth
Recent Examples on the Web Survival requires the fortitude to persevere when momentum turns against you and shots stop falling. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024 The success of this operation is a testament to the skill and fortitude with which our Armed Forces serve when faced with high risks. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fortitude 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fortitude.' 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 English, from Latin fortitudin-, fortitudo, from fortis — see fortify

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fortitude was in the 12th century

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Dictionary Entries Near fortitude

Cite this Entry

“Fortitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortitude. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fortitude

noun
for·​ti·​tude ˈfȯrt-ə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce fortitude (audio)
: strength of mind that enables a person to meet danger or bear pain or hardship with courage

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