potency

noun

po·​ten·​cy ˈpō-tᵊn(t)-sē 

plural potencies

1

a

: force, power

b

: the quality or state of being potent

c

: the ability or capacity to achieve or bring about a particular result

2

: potentiality sense 1

Synonyms

• energy
• firepower
• force
• horsepower
• might
• muscle
• potence
• power
• puissance
• sinew
• strength
• vigor

Examples of potency in a Sentence

The potency of her words changed many minds in the audience that night.

Any vitamin of high potency should only be taken in the proper dosage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cann also goes conservative with its potency, only producing drinks that have 5mg of THC. —Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024

While these numbers clearly show that the P3 Ultra is just in a different, smaller class, that reality didn't really stop the new M4 Pro Mac mini from a dominant display of potency. —PCMAG, 6 Dec. 2024

Need any more proof of Jake Paul’s potency in the boxing world? —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

But the two find parallels in an unexpected place: their beliefs of the potency of color within complicated systems of race, power and inequity. —Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

potency

noun

po·​ten·​cy ˈpōt-ᵊn-sē 

plural potencies

: the quality or state of being potent

vitamins of high potency

especially : power to bring about a certain result

Medical Definition

potency

noun

po·​ten·​cy ˈpōt-ᵊn-sē 

plural potencies

: the quality or state of being potent: as

a

: chemical or medicinal strength or efficacy

a drug's potency

b

: the ability to copulate

—usually used of the male

c

: initial inherent capacity for development of a particular kind

cells with a potency for eye formation