effort Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
try; endeavor; attempt; endeavour.
- made an effort to cover all the reading material
- wished him luck in his endeavor
- she gave it a good try
noun use of physical or mental energy; hard work
exertion; elbow grease; travail; sweat.
- he got an A for effort
- they managed only with great exertion
noun a notable achievement
exploit; feat.
- he performed a great feat
- the book was her finest effort
noun a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
campaign; cause; drive; crusade; movement.
- he supported populist campaigns
- they worked in the cause of world peace
- the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant
- the movement to end slavery
- contributed to the war effort

F. effort, OF. esfort, for esfors, esforz, fr. esforcier. See Efforce.

An exertion of strength or power, whether physical or mental, in performing an act or aiming at an object; more or less strenuous endeavor; struggle directed to the accomplishment of an object; as, an effort to scale a wall.
We prize the stronger effort of his power. Pope.
(Mech.) A force acting on a body in the direction of its motion. Rankine. Syn. -- Endeavor; exertion; struggle; strain; straining; attempt; trial; essay. See Attempt.