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1. Dictionary

   strain

   /streɪn/

   verb

   • 1. force (a part of one's body or oneself) to make an unusually great effort: "I stopped and listened, straining my ears for any sound"
   • ▪ make an unusually great effort: "his voice was so quiet that I had to strain to hear it" Similar strugglelabourtoilmake a supreme effortmake every effortspare no effortstrain every nervetry very hardstrivebreak one's backpush/drive oneself to the limitdo one's bestinformal:pull out all the stopsgo all outgive it one's allbend/lean over backwardsgive it one's best shotbust a gutbreak one's neckdo one's damnedestkill oneselfgo for the doctor
   • ▪ injure (a limb, muscle, or organ) by overexerting it: "on cold days you are more likely to strain a muscle" Similar injurehurtdamageimpairpullwrenchteartwistsprainrickcrick
   • ▪ make severe or excessive demands on: "he strained her tolerance to the limit" Similar overtaxoverworkoverburdenoverextendoverreachovertaskmake too many demands onrun/work oneself into the groundexert excessivelydrive too farexert to the limitpush to the limitexhaustwear outfatiguetiretaxoverdo itwork too hardinformal:knackerknock oneself out
   • ▪ pull or push forcibly at something: "the bear strained at the chain around its neck" Similar pulltugheavehauljerkpushinformal:yank
   • ▪ stretch (something) tightly: "the barbed wire fence was strained to posts six feet high"
   • ▪ embrace (someone) tightly: archaic "she strained the infant to her bosom again"
   • 2. pour (a mainly liquid substance) through a porous or perforated device or material in order to separate out any solid matter: "strain the custard into a bowl"
   • ▪ cause liquid to drain off (food which has been boiled, soaked, or canned) by using a porous or perforated device: "she turned to the sink to strain the noodles" Similar sievesiftfilterscreenriddleseparatepercolateleachrare:filtrategriddle
   • ▪ drain (liquid) off food by using a porous or perforated device: "strain off the surplus fat" Similar sievesiftfilterscreenriddleseparatepercolateleachrare:filtrategriddle

   noun

   • 1. a force tending to pull or stretch something to an extreme or damaging degree: "the usual type of chair puts an enormous strain on the spine" Similar tensiontightnesstautnesssheardistensionrare:tensity
   • ▪ an injury to a part of the body caused by overexertion: "he has a slight groin strain" Similar injurysprainwrenchtwistrick
   • ▪ the magnitude of a deformation, equal to the change in the dimension of a deformed object divided by its original dimension.
   • 2. a severe or excessive demand on the strength, resources, or abilities of someone or something: "the accusations put a strain on relations between the two countries" Similar pressuredemandsburdensexertionsstresstensioninformal:hassle
   • ▪ a state of tension or exhaustion resulting from severe demands on one's strength or resources: "the telltale signs of nervous strain" Similar stresstensionnervous tensionanxietyexhaustionfatiguetirednesswearinesspressure of workoverworkduressOpposite relaxation
   • 3. the sound of a piece of music: "the distant strains of the brass band grew louder" Similar soundmusicmelodytuneairsong

   Word Origin Middle English (as a verb): from Old French estreindre, from Latin stringere ‘draw tight’. Current senses of the noun arose in the mid 16th century.

   Derivatives

   • 1. strainable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • S

     1

   • T

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   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • I

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   • N

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2. People also ask

   What is the difference between strain and stress?

   • Strain is a measure of how much a material changes shape under a force. It is equal to the change in any dimension divided by the original value of that dimension. Related words Compare strain with stress, which is a measure of the internal forces in a material that changes shape under a force.

   STRAIN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/strain

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   What does strain mean?

   • Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about strain Love words? Need even more definitions? Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! The meaning of STRAIN is lineage, ancestry. How to use strain in a sentence.

   Strain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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   What does strained mean in a sentence?

   • 1. stretch, test, tax, overtax, Resources will be further strained by new demands for housing. 2. injure, wrench, sprain, damage, pull, tear, hurt, twist, rick, impair, overexert He strained his back during a practice session.

   Strain - definition of strain by The Free Dictionary

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   What does it mean to strain a person or organization?

   • If strain is put on a person or organization, they have to do more than they are really able to do. She couldn't cope with the stresses and strains of her career. To strain something means to make it do more than it is really able to do. The number of flights is straining the air traffic control system.

   STRAIN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   What is a strain in a relationship?

   • There are strains [= problems] in their relationship. Being deeply in debt has been a strain [= burden] on our marriage. The disagreement has put/placed a strain on their friendship. Sending their children to college has put/placed a strain on their finances. Being in debt has been a source of strain on our marriage.

   Strain Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

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   What does it mean if a system is under strain?

   • If strain is put on an organization or system, it has to do more than it is able to do. The prison service is already under considerable strain. ...the credit crunch caused by strains on the banking system. To strain something means to make it do more than it is able to do.

   STRAIN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSTRAIN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning of strain as a noun and a verb in English, with different senses and contexts. Find out how to use strain in sentences, idioms and expressions with examples from the Cambridge Dictionary.

   • English (US)

     STRAIN meaning: 1. a force or influence that stretches,...

   • Stress-Strain Curve

     Examples of how to use “stress-strain curve” in a sentence...

   • Eyestrain

     EYESTRAIN definition: 1. tired or painful eyes as a result...

   • Strain Spanish Translation

     STRAIN translate: tensión, tensión, colar, escurrir, estrés...

   • Simplified

     STRAIN translate: 压力, 压力;拉力，张力;作用力, （肌肉等软组织的）损伤，拉伤，扭伤,...

   • Znaczenie Strain, Definicja W Cambridge English Dictionary

     STRAIN definicja: 1. a force or influence that stretches,...

4. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › strainStrain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › strain

   • Cached

   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word strain as a noun and a verb, with synonyms, examples, and word history. Find out how strain can refer to lineage, ancestry, quality, tune, injury, tension, and more.

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6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSTRAIN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word strain in English, from a force that stretches something to a type of organism. Find synonyms, examples, pronunciation, and grammar tips.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › strainSTRAIN | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › strain

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   Learn the meaning of strain as a noun and a verb in English, with different senses and contexts. Find out how to use strain in sentences, idioms and expressions with examples from various sources.

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › strainStrain - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › strain

   The noun strain is a stretch, effort, or exertion. You can strain your ankle, or your little brother can strain your patience.

9. www.thefreedictionary.com › strainStrain - definition of strain by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › strain

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   Learn the meaning and usage of the word strain in different contexts, such as physics, biology, music, and psychology. Find synonyms, related terms, and idioms for strain.

10. www.britannica.com › dictionary › strainStrain Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

    www.britannica.com › dictionary › strain

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    Learn the different meanings and uses of the word strain in English, from a feeling of stress and worry to a force that pulls or stretches something. See examples, synonyms, and related terms for strain.