1
: conscious exertion of power : hard work
a job requiring time and effort
2
: a serious attempt : try
making an effort to reduce costs
3
: something produced by exertion or trying
the novel was her most ambitious effort
4
: effective force as distinguished from the possible resistance called into action by such a force
5
: the total work done to achieve a particular end
the war effort
Examples of effort in a Sentence
He put a lot of effort into finishing the project on time.
It wasn't easy, but it was worth the effort.
We need to expend more effort.
The job will require a great deal of time and effort.
Our success is due to the combined efforts of many people.
Her efforts were rewarded with a new contract.
He lost the campaign despite the best efforts of his supporters.
Even though they didn't win, the team made a good effort.
Her early efforts at writing a novel were awkward.
Despite my best efforts, I never found out who she was.
Recent Examples on the Web
Both members are known to hold their votes during many large, contentious votes in an effort to get more spending cuts.
—
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
More recently, from her post in the White House, Halligan was tasked by Trump with an effort to root out what the administration calls radical ideology at the Smithsonian Institution museums.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2025
In response to the shootings, Lucas’s office announced a collaboration between the owner of the lot, real estate firm Copaken Brooks, and the city to increase security efforts downtown.
—Pj Green
september 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025
Northern Illinois then put up a valiant effort but wound up losing 20-9 to Maryland in its second matchup of the season.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for effort
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Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
More recently, from her post in the White House, Halligan was tasked by Trump with an effort to root out what the administration calls radical ideology at the Smithsonian Institution museums.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2025
In response to the shootings, Lucas’s office announced a collaboration between the owner of the lot, real estate firm Copaken Brooks, and the city to increase security efforts downtown.
—Pj Green
september 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025
Northern Illinois then put up a valiant effort but wound up losing 20-9 to Maryland in its second matchup of the season.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for effort
Cite this Entry
“Effort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effort. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
effort
noun
ef·fort
ˈef-ərt 
-ˌȯrt
1
: hard work of mind or body
requires time and effort
2
: a serious attempt : try
made a good effort
3
: something produced by work
this painting was one of my best efforts
4
: the force applied to a simple machine (as a lever) in contrast to the force applied by it against a load
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