durability

durability — noun

1. the ability of an object or material to stay in good condition for a long period

1.nounB2
Definition

the ability of an object or material to stay in good condition for a long period of time, even when used often or exposed to difficult conditions.

Example

The ceramic tiles were chosen for their durability in the kitchen's humid environment.

durability in + [challenging environment]

Lucas tested the tent's durability by leaving it in heavy rain for a week.

Common collocations
  • fabric durability
  • product durability
  • material durability
  • test durability
  • improve durability
Synonyms
  • sturdiness

    focuses on solid construction rather than resistance to wear over time

  • robustness

    more technical, often used for systems and machinery

  • resilience

    emphasises the ability to recover from damage rather than avoid it

Antonyms
  • fragility

    the quality of breaking or being damaged easily

  • weakness

    lack of strength that leads to early failure

Grammar Patterns

the durability of + noun phrase

noun + durability

durability in + [environment]

Usage Note

Typically describes physical objects, materials, and products rather than living things. Often paired with nouns like 'fabric', 'material', 'equipment', or 'product'.

Common Mistakes

This phone case has good strength.
This phone case has good durability.
'Strength' refers to how much force something can handle at once, while 'durability' is about staying intact over time.

2. the quality of staying present, effective, or relevant over a long period, espec

2.nounC1
Definition

the quality of staying present, effective, or relevant over a long period, especially for systems, institutions, traditions, or ideas.

Example

Hyun drove past three supermarkets to reach the farmers' market, a testament to its durability.

a testament to + [possessive] durability

Adisa walked through the border village where the ceasefire's durability meant children could play outside.

Common collocations
  • institutional durability
  • cultural durability
  • economic durability
  • question the durability
  • ensure durability
Synonyms
  • persistence

    suggests continued existence through active effort

  • longevity

    focuses on lifespan rather than resistance to challenges

  • continuity

    emphasises uninterrupted existence

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the durability of + [abstract noun]

Usage Note

Subject is usually an abstract concept such as a system, institution, tradition, or relationship. Less common than sense 1, and typically found in formal or academic writing.

Common Mistakes

The permanence of the ceasefire was uncertain.
The durability of the ceasefire was uncertain.
'Permanence' suggests something lasts forever, while 'durability' means lasting despite challenges.

3. a person's ability to keep working or performing an activity over extended perio

3.nounB2
Definition

a person's ability to keep working or performing an activity over extended periods without tiring or sustaining injury.

Example

Marathon runners train for months to build the durability needed for the 42-kilometer race.

build the durability needed for + [activity]

The night-shift nurse relied on her physical durability to get through twelve-hour shifts.

physical durability

Common collocations
  • physical durability
  • mental durability
  • build durability
  • improve durability
  • test durability
Synonyms
  • stamina

    more common in everyday speech; equally informal

  • endurance

    slightly more formal, often used for sustained effort

  • resilience

    emphasises bouncing back from fatigue or injury

Antonyms
  • fatigue

    the state of being exhausted and unable to continue

  • weakness

    lack of physical strength to sustain activity

Grammar Patterns

[possessive] + durability

physical / mental durability

durability needed for + [activity]

Usage Note

Often modified by 'physical' or 'mental' to specify the type of stamina. Frequently used in sports, healthcare, and manual-labour contexts. 'Endurance' and 'stamina' are more common synonyms in everyday speech.

Common Mistakes

Boxers need strength to last twelve rounds.
Boxers need durability to last twelve rounds.
'Strength' measures how hard you can strike, while 'durability' measures how long you can keep going without injury.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Durability refers to how well an object holds up over time through regular use. Sturdiness is narrower — it describes a solid, well-built structure that resists breaking in the moment (a sturdy table can hold heavy weight, but may not survive years of moisture). Robustness has a technical flavour, often applied to systems or machinery that handle stress without failure. Resilience adds the idea of recovery: a resilient material bends or cracks but returns to its original shape or function. For everyday shopping, 'durability' is the most natural choice: 'I chose this suitcase for its durability.' For a piece of furniture that feels solid, use 'sturdiness.' For a software system that handles errors well, use 'robustness.'

sturdinessrobustnessresilience

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in terms of durability
  • known for its durability
  • be designed for durability

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Durability entered English in the 15th century from Old French 'durabilité', which came from Latin 'dūrābilis' meaning 'lasting, hard to wear out'. The root 'dūrus' ('hard') is also the ancestor of 'during', 'endure', and 'endurance'. The sense of physical toughness appeared first; the abstract sense (systems, ideas) and the personal stamina sense developed later as the word broadened from materials to people and concepts.