health

[helth]

noun

1. the general condition of the body or mind with reference to soundness and vigor.

   good health;

   poor health.

2. soundness of body or mind; freedom from disease or ailment.

   to have one's health;

   to lose one's health.

   Synonyms: stamina, fitness, strength, vitality, vigor

3. a polite or complimentary wish for a person's health, happiness, etc., especially as a toast.

   We drank a health to our guest of honor.

4. vigor; vitality.

   economic health.

health

/ hɛlθ /

noun

1. the state of being bodily and mentally vigorous and free from disease

2. the general condition of body and mind

   in poor health

3. the condition of any unit, society, etc

   the economic health of a nation

4. a toast to a person, wishing him or her good health, happiness, etc

5. (modifier) of or relating to food or other goods reputed to be beneficial to the health

   health food

   a health store

6. (modifier) of or relating to health, esp to the administration of health

   a health committee

   health resort

   health service

interjection

1. an exclamation wishing someone good health as part of a toast (in the phrases your health, good health, etc)

Other Word Forms

• healthward adjective
• subhealth noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of health¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English helthe, Old English hǣlth; hale ¹, whole, -th ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of health¹

Old English hǣlth; related to hāl _hale ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see clean bill of health.

Example Sentences

On Friday, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said 30 Palestinians had been killed in the territory in the past 24 hours, including 20 in Gaza City.

From BBC

He’s on record as supporting the Green New Deal and universal health insurance, and spoke alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders when the progressive icon’s “Fighting Oligarchy” tour came to Southern California.

From Salon

Strikes have intensified in areas of Gaza City in recent weeks and dozens of Palestinians have been killed in attacks this week alone according to the Hamas-run health ministry and civil defence agency.

From BBC

We’d love to live in a united country where we aren’t forced to have regional responses to serious health problems because our federal government denies science.

From Salon

The US jobs market weakened further in August, raising new fears about the health of the world's largest economy.

From BBC

Related Words

• energy 
• fitness 
• strength 
• well-being