Strain - definition, pronunciation, transcription

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Amer.  |streɪn|  American pronunciation of the word strain
Brit.  |streɪn|  British pronunciation of the word strain

noun

- (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
- difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension (syn: stress)
she endured the stresses and strains of life
- a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence (syn: air, line, melody, tune)
- (psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress
his responsibilities were a constant strain
the mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him
- a special variety of domesticated animals within a species (syn: breed, stock)
he created a new strain of sheep
- (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups (syn: form, variant)
a new strain of microorganisms
- injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse); results in swelling and pain
- the general meaning or substance of an utterance (syn: tenor)
- an effortful attempt to attain a goal (syn: pains, striving)
- an intense or violent exertion (syn: straining)
- the act of singing (syn: song)

verb

- to exert much effort or energy (syn: reach, strive)
straining our ears to hear
- test the limits of (syn: stress, try)
- use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity (syn: extend)
Don't strain your mind too much
- separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements (syn: sieve, sift)
- cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious (syn: tense)
- become stretched or tense or taut (syn: tense)
the rope strained when the weight was attached
- remove by passing through a filter (syn: filter, filtrate)
- rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender (syn: puree)
- alter the shape of (something) by stress (syn: deform, distort)

Extra examples

I strained my back trying to lift the couch.

Too much computer work strains the eyes.

He strained a muscle in his leg.

His muscles strained under the heavy weight.

There is a strain of weakness in him.

I couldn't look after him any more; the strain was too much for me.

Did you find the job a strain?

The trial has been a terrible strain for both of us.

It's quite a strain on me when he's drinking heavily.

The long working hours put a severe strain on employees.

I know you've been under a lot of strain lately.

I could see that she was beginning to crack under the strain.

The dry summer has further increased the strain on water resources.

The flu epidemic has put a huge strain on the health service.

The attack has led to strains in the relationship between the two countries.

Word forms

verb
I/you/we/they: strain
he/she/it: strains
present participle: straining
past tense: strained
past participle: strained
noun
singular: strain
plural: strains
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