1 : having great physical power and ability : having a lot of strength
▪ a big strong kid ▪ an athlete with strong muscles/legs ▪ He's as strong as an ox. — opposite weak 2 : not easy to break or damage
▪ The table should be strong enough to survive the trip. ▪ The builder added supports to make the walls stronger. 3 : not sick or injured : healthy
▪ He'll return to work when he's feeling a little stronger. 4 : very noticeable
▪ He speaks with a strong accent. ▪ She has strong features like her father. ▪ He bears a strong resemblance to his father. 5 : having great power or force
▪ a strong breeze/wind ▪ a good strong kick 6 a : very powerful in action or effect
▪ Morphine is a strong drug. ▪ a strong detergent ▪ He needs strong glasses for reading.
b : having a powerful and sometimes unpleasant taste or smell
▪ strong cheese ▪ The spices are too strong for me. ▪ a strong perfume ▪ A strong smell came from the basement. 7 : containing a large amount of an important ingredient (such as alcohol)
▪ I could use a strong drink. ▪ She drank nothing stronger than iced tea. ▪ a strong cup of coffee 8 : having a lot of power or influence
▪ a strong leader/government 9 : likely to persuade or convince people that something is true, real, correct, etc.
▪ He made a strong [=compelling, persuasive] argument/case for keeping the center open. ▪ strong evidence 10 : very confident and able to deal with difficult situations
▪ a strong character/personality ▪ I don't think I'm strong enough to handle this by myself. ▪ Her spirit remained strong throughout her illness. 11 : felt, believed, or expressed in a very definite and powerful way
▪ an especially strong conviction/commitment ▪ She is a woman of strong and independent opinions. ▪ a strong desire/liking/hatred ▪ He has a strong sense of responsibility. ▪ I had a strong desire/temptation/urge to call him. ▪ He has a strong need for control. ▪ The proposal has faced strong opposition. ▪ He thanked them for their strong support. 12 : powerful and effective in supporting something, opposing something, etc.
▪ She is a strong advocate for child welfare. ▪ a strong opponent of the proposal 13 : well established and likely to continue
▪ strong traditions ▪ strong friendships/relationships/ties 14 : likely to succeed or to happen
▪ a strong candidate/contender ▪ There is a strong [=very good] possibility/chance that he will be promoted. 15 a : great in number
▪ There was a strong turnout for the election. [=a large number of people voted in the election]
b — used to indicate the number of people in a large group ▪ The army was ten thousand strong. [=there were 10,000 soldiers in the army] 16 a : having a value that is great or that is increasing
▪ The dollar has been strong.
b : in a good financial condition : doing well
▪ The business remains strong despite the setbacks. ▪ The economy is strong. 17 : very forceful and sometimes obscene or offensive
▪ The movie contains some strong language. [=swearing] 18 : very bright
▪ She likes strong colors. ▪ a strong light