noun
strategy
STRAT-ih-jih
noun
1
A carefully worked-out plan for reaching a particular goal, especially over the long term.
"Their marketing strategy focused on younger buyers."
"He had no real strategy for the exam beyond hoping for the best."
2
The overall art of directing large-scale operations, especially in warfare, as opposed to individual battles.
"Military strategy shaped the entire course of the war, not just single skirmishes."
How to Use Strategy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA well-thought-out plan for winning or succeeding, big-picture rather than moment-to-moment.
Common mistake
Strategy is the overall plan; tactics are the specific actions used to carry it out. People often use the words interchangeably, but they're not quite the same.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
develop a strategy
exit strategy
long-term strategy
Word Forms
strategies plural
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Their marketing _____ focused on younger buyers.
Etymology
From Greek stratēgia, "the office or role of a general," from stratos ("army") plus agein ("to lead").