virtue
noun
vir·tue
ˈvər-(ˌ)chü 
1
a
: conformity to a standard of right : morality
b
: a particular moral excellence
2
: a beneficial quality or power of a thing
3
: manly strength or courage : valor
4
: a commendable quality or trait : merit
5
: a capacity to act : potency
6
: chastity especially in a woman
7
Synonyms
Examples of virtue in a Sentence
He led me across the concrete floor, through a concrete warehouse, and to the concrete screening room, where he began to extol the virtue and beauty of his eleven-mile-long sewage interceptor.
—
Frederick Kaufman, Harper's, February 2008
Disinterestedness was the most common term the founders used as a synonym for the classical conception of virtue or self-sacrifice; it better conveyed the threats from interests that virtue seemed increasingly to face in the rapidly commercializing eighteenth century.
—Gordon S. Wood, Revolutionary Characters, 2006
It was not only his title that made Poor Richard—and by extension [Benjamin] Franklin—an honorary Frenchman. He may well have devoted a great amount of ink to virtue and order, but he checked those concepts at the door of the beau monde; he made it clear that he was not too good for that world …
—Stacy Schiff, A Great Improvisation, 2005
Nerviness is considered a virtue, a good machine, an energy that builds nations, businesses and dynasties. Handed down from generation to generation, like a caustic strand of DNA, it infects the unhappy, the unfortunate and the unlucky, and turns them into desperate strivers, prepared to do anything to realize their ridiculous ambitions.
—David Byrne, The New Sins/Los Nuevos Pecados, 2001
Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall …
—William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure, 1605
the virtue of wool as a clothing material is that it can provide insulation from the cold even when wet
a lady of honor and virtue
Frederick Kaufman, Harper's, February 2008
Disinterestedness was the most common term the founders used as a synonym for the classical conception of virtue or self-sacrifice; it better conveyed the threats from interests that virtue seemed increasingly to face in the rapidly commercializing eighteenth century.
—Gordon S. Wood, Revolutionary Characters, 2006
It was not only his title that made Poor Richard—and by extension [Benjamin] Franklin—an honorary Frenchman. He may well have devoted a great amount of ink to virtue and order, but he checked those concepts at the door of the beau monde; he made it clear that he was not too good for that world …
—Stacy Schiff, A Great Improvisation, 2005
Nerviness is considered a virtue, a good machine, an energy that builds nations, businesses and dynasties. Handed down from generation to generation, like a caustic strand of DNA, it infects the unhappy, the unfortunate and the unlucky, and turns them into desperate strivers, prepared to do anything to realize their ridiculous ambitions.
—David Byrne, The New Sins/Los Nuevos Pecados, 2001
Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall …
—William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure, 1605
the virtue of wool as a clothing material is that it can provide insulation from the cold even when wet
a lady of honor and virtue
Recent Examples on the Web
Each season has its own theme, ranging from the seven deadly sins and virtues in season two to an exploration of global literature in season three.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Apple, Google and Meta all make a virtue of their own lack of access to user content.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
More news:New Report Provides Huge Update On Pitcher's Timeline to Arrive in MLB
By virtue of his age and lack of experience in Nippon Professional Baseball, Sasaki is not eligible to sign a major league contract, and the triple-digit contract that would certainly come with it.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Features Guided by Voice's Robert Pollard remembers 'Bee Thousand,' and extolls the virtues of lo-fi
Written by Mike Postalakis |
Released on June 21st, 19-Something and Four, Bee Thousand, the seventh album by Dayton, Ohio’s Guided by Voices, was ushered into the time-and-space sphere.
—Mike Postalakis, SPIN, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for virtue 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Apple, Google and Meta all make a virtue of their own lack of access to user content.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
More news:New Report Provides Huge Update On Pitcher's Timeline to Arrive in MLB
By virtue of his age and lack of experience in Nippon Professional Baseball, Sasaki is not eligible to sign a major league contract, and the triple-digit contract that would certainly come with it.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Features Guided by Voice's Robert Pollard remembers 'Bee Thousand,' and extolls the virtues of lo-fi
Written by Mike Postalakis |
Released on June 21st, 19-Something and Four, Bee Thousand, the seventh album by Dayton, Ohio’s Guided by Voices, was ushered into the time-and-space sphere.
—Mike Postalakis, SPIN, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for virtue
Articles Related to virtue
Dictionary Entries Near virtue
Cite this Entry
“Virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtue. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Etymology
Middle English vertu, virtu "behavior that fits with what is right or moral," from early French virtu (same meaning), from Latin virtus "strength, virtue, manly quality," from vir "man, male" — related to virile
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share