战略 (zhànlüè) literally combines 战 (zhàn), meaning 'war' or 'battle', and 略 (lüè), meaning 'plan', 'tactic', or 'to govern'. Together, they form a formal noun meaning 'strategy' — a comprehensive, long-term plan designed to achieve a major goal, especially in contexts involving competition, planning, or resource allocation. Unlike tactics (战术), which focus on immediate actions, strategy emphasizes overarching vision, foresight, and coordination across multiple areas.

This word is commonly used in business, military, politics, education, and environmental policy. It appears frequently in official reports, corporate planning documents, and academic discussions. While it can refer to military planning (e.g., national defense strategy), its modern usage extends widely to non-military domains — such as 'a green energy strategy' or 'a recruitment strategy'. It carries a formal, high-level connotation and rarely appears in casual daily speech.