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Where does the word "strategy" come from? It comes from Greek stratēgia, passing through French before entering English (1810s).
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Where does the word "strategy" come from? It comes from Greek stratēgia, passing through French before entering English (1810s).
Strategy’s story begins in Greek: stratēgia meant “generalship.” From 'stratēgos', general: 'stratos', army, plus 'agein', to lead. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as stratégie. Revived by French military writers. It reached English by 1810s as strategy. Entered English during the Napoleonic Wars; business use came in the 1900s. Today, strategy means a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term aim.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient stratēgia "generalship", from 'stratēgos', general: 'stratos', army, plus 'agein', to lead.
- Stage 2 · French · 1700s stratégie "art of war", revived by French military writers.
- Stage 3 · English · 1810s strategy "a plan to achieve a goal", entered English during the Napoleonic Wars; business use came in the 1900s.