WordWeb Online

1. Earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
   "made an effort to cover all the reading material";
   - attempt, endeavor [US], endeavour [Brit, Cdn], try
    
2. Use of physical or mental energy; hard work
   "he got an A for effort";
   - elbow grease, exertion, travail [literary], sweat [informal]
    
3. A notable achievement
   "the book was her finest effort";
   - feat, exploit
    
4. A series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
   "contributed to the war effort";
   - campaign, cause, crusade, drive, movement
    
5. Long and tiring mental or physical work, travel, etc.
   "writing the paper was a real effort";
   - slog

Derived forms: efforts

Type of: accomplishment, achievement, activity, labor [US], labour [Brit, Cdn], toil, venture

Encyclopedia: Effort, Pennsylvania