Definition of RESILIENCE (original) (raw)
1
: the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress
2
: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
Did you know?
In physics, resilience is the ability of an elastic material (such as rubber or animal tissue) to absorb energy (such as from a blow) and release that energy as it springs back to its original shape. The recovery that occurs in this phenomenon can be viewed as analogous to a person's ability to bounce back after a jarring setback. The word resilience derives from the present participle of the Latin verb resilire, meaning "to jump back" or "to recoil." The base of resilire is salire, a verb meaning "to leap" that also pops up in the etymologies of such sprightly words as sally and somersault.
Examples of resilience in a Sentence
… the concert remained a remarkable tribute to Dylan's resilience and continued relevance. —
Susan Richardson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994 He squeezed the rubber with a clamp and then released it—demonstrating with this painfully simple experiment that the material lost its resilience and therefore its ability to flex rapidly enough to protect the rocket joint from tumultuous hot gases. —James Gleick, New York Times Book Review, 13 Nov. 1988 With amazing resilience the two tribes pulled together and set out to found a new town farther up the river. —Carolyn Gilman, American Indian Art Magazine, Spring 1988 It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature. Let any obstructing cause, no matter what, be removed in any way, even by death, and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment. —Bram Stoker, Dracula, 1897
The rescue workers showed remarkable resilience in dealing with the difficult conditions. Cold temperatures caused the material to lose resilience.
Recent Examples on the Web This ‘banana water’ provides a nutrient-rich solution that helps boost plant resilience and growth by supplying significant amounts of potassium, an essential plant macronutrient. —Debbie Wolfe, Popular Science, 26 June 2024 Bunting's mission is clear: empower young minds to cultivate resilience and self-worth, igniting a transformative journey towards personal fulfillment. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024 With cultural events, advocacy gatherings and fabulous parties kicking into high gear for the fourth week of the month, Pride revelers will have even more opportunities to celebrate LGBTQ resilience, protest against oppression, prepare for future battles — and, yes, have a gay ol’ time. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 22 June 2024 Danny Ocean To Perform at The Kennedy Center Danny Ocean teamed up with The Kennedy Center and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to celebrate the courage, resilience and creativity of refugees on World Refugee Day. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 22 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for resilience 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resilience.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of resilience was in 1807
Dictionary Entries Near resilience
Cite this Entry
“Resilience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resilience. Accessed 3 Jul. 2024.
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Last Updated: 2 Jul 2024 - Updated example sentences
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