Definition (noun) (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
Definition (noun) difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension
Example Sentence
-
she endured the stresses and strains of life
-
he presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger
Definition (noun) a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
Example Sentence
-
she was humming an air from Beethoven
Definition (noun) (psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress
Example Sentence
-
his responsibilities were a constant strain
-
the mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him
Definition (noun) a special variety of domesticated animals within a species
Example Sentence
-
he experimented on a particular breed of white rats
-
he created a new strain of sheep
Definition (noun) (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups
Example Sentence
-
a new strain of microorganisms
Definition (noun) injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse); results in swelling and pain
Definition (noun) the general meaning or substance of an utterance
Example Sentence
-
although I disagreed with him I could follow the tenor of his argument
Definition (noun) an effortful attempt to attain a goal
Definition (noun) an intense or violent exertion
Definition (noun) the act of singing
Example Sentence
-
with a shout and a song they marched up to the gates
Definition (verb) to exert much effort or energy
Example Sentence
-
straining our ears to hear
Definition (verb) test the limits of
Example Sentence
-
You are trying my patience!
Definition (verb) use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity
Example Sentence
-
He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro
-
Don't strain your mind too much
Definition (verb) separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements
Definition (verb) cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious
Example Sentence
-
he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up
Definition (verb) become stretched or tense or taut
Example Sentence
-
the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed;
-
the rope strained when the weight was attached
Definition (verb) remove by passing through a filter
Example Sentence
-
filter out the impurities
Definition (verb) rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender
Example Sentence
-
puree the vegetables for the baby
Definition (verb) alter the shape of (something) by stress
Example Sentence
-
His body was deformed by leprosy