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, sweat
    
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

Derived forms: efforts

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

Encyclopedia: Effort