Strain - definition, pronunciation, transcription
noun
- difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension (syn: stress)
- (psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress
the mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him
- 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
- use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity (syn: extend)
- cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious (syn: tense)
- become stretched or tense or taut (syn: tense)
- 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
I/you/we/they: strain
he/she/it: strains
present participle: straining
past tense: strained
past participle: strained
singular: strain
plural: strains
Please, register on our website at registration page. After registration you can log in and use that feature.