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 strain strain /ˈstreɪn/

noun

  1. () (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces  ( strain )
    (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
      The heavy load placed a strain on the bridge's support structure.
    The heavy load placed a strain on the bridge's support structure.
  2. () A succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence  ( air , line , melodic line , melodic phrase , melody , strain , tune )
    a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
     She was humming an air from Beethoven
    she was humming an air from Beethoven
  3. () Difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension  ( stress , strain )
    difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension
     She endured the stresses and strains of life
    she endured the stresses and strains of life
     He presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger
    he presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger
  4. () A special variety of domesticated animals within a species  ( breed , stock , strain )
    a special variety of domesticated animals within a species
     He experimented on a particular breed of white rats
    he experimented on a particular breed of white rats
     He created a new strain of sheep
    he created a new strain of sheep
  5. () (psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress  ( mental strain , nervous strain , strain )
    (psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress
     His responsibilities were a constant strain
    his responsibilities were a constant strain
     The mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him
    the mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him
  6. () (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups  ( variant , form , strain , var. )
    (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups
     A new strain of microorganisms
    a new strain of microorganisms
  7. The act of singing  ( strain , song )
    the act of singing
     With a shout and a song they marched up to the gates
    with a shout and a song they marched up to the gates
  8. An intense or violent exertion  ( strain , straining )
    an intense or violent exertion
  9. An effortful attempt to attain a goal  ( nisus , strain , striving , pains )
    an effortful attempt to attain a goal
      She went to great pains to plan the perfect surprise party.
    She went to great pains to plan the perfect surprise party.
  10. The general meaning or substance of an utterance  ( strain , tenor )
    the general meaning or substance of an utterance
     Although I disagreed with him I could follow the tenor of his argument
    although I disagreed with him I could follow the tenor of his argument
  11. Injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse); results in swelling and pain  ( strain )
    injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse); results in swelling and pain

verb

  1. () To exert much effort or energy  ( reach , strain , strive )
    to exert much effort or energy
     Straining our ears to hear
    straining our ears to hear
  2. () Use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity  ( extend , strain )
    use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity
     He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro
    He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro
     Don't strain your mind too much
    Don't strain your mind too much
  3. () Test the limits of  ( stress , try , strain )
    test the limits of
     You are trying my patience!
    You are trying my patience!
  4. () Cause to be tense and uneasy, nervous or anxious  ( tense , tense up , strain )
    cause to be tense and uneasy, nervous or anxious
     He got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up
    he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up
  5. () Separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements  ( sieve , sift , strain )
    separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements
     Sift the flour
    sift the flour
  6. Alter the shape of (something) by stress  ( deform , distort , strain )
    alter the shape of (something) by stress
     His body was deformed by leprosy
    His body was deformed by leprosy
  7. (cooking) rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender  ( puree , strain , purée )
    (cooking) rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender
     Puree the vegetables for the baby
    puree the vegetables for the baby
  8. Remove by passing through a filter  ( filter out , filtrate , strain , filter , separate out )
    remove by passing through a filter
     Filter out the impurities
    filter out the impurities
  9. Become stretched, tense or taut  ( strain , tense )
    become stretched, tense or taut
     The bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed
    the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed
     The rope strained when the weight was attached
    the rope strained when the weight was attached