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