Etymology Map
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Strategy

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term aim

Where does the word "strategy" come from? It comes from Greek stratēgia, passing through French before entering English (1810s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
stratēgia
Greek · ancient
"generalship"
from 'stratēgos', general: 'stratos', army, plus 'agein', to lead
2
Stage 2 of 3
stratégie
French · 1700s
"art of war"
revived by French military writers
3
Stage 3 of 3
strategy
English · 1810s
"a plan to achieve a goal"
entered English during the Napoleonic Wars; business use came in the 1900s
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Read the full story

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.