strain
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
strains
plural
strains
Britannica Dictionary definition of STRAIN
1
:
a feeling of stress and worry that you have because you are trying to do too much, are dealing with a difficult problem, etc.
[count]
-
The work has been a strain on me. [=it has been stressful for me]
-
The strain of working and going to school full-time was too much for her.
-
He talked about the stresses and strains of owning a business.
-
The long hours at work have put/placed a strain on me.
-
She has been under a strain lately.
[noncount]
-
Help from other workers took some of the strain [=pressure] off me.
-
She has been under (a lot of) strain lately.
-
He is holding up under the strain. [=he is able to deal with the pressure]
-
He cracked/collapsed/buckled under the strain. [=he was not able to deal with the pressure]
2
:
something that is very difficult to deal with and that causes harm or trouble
[count]
-
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.
[noncount]
-
Being in debt has been a source of strain on our marriage.
-
Their friendship is under strain.
3
:
a force that pulls or stretches something
:
stress
— usually singular
[count]
-
The cable is designed to withstand strains of more than four tons.
-
The strain on the cables supporting the bridge is enormous.
-
The cables could not take the strain of the extra weight.
[noncount]
-
If there is too much strain on the cables they will snap.
-
Moving the piano will put/place too much strain on our back muscles.
-
The cable broke under the strain.
4
:
an injury to a body part or muscle that is caused by too much tension, effort, or use
[count]
-
a leg/muscle strain
[noncount]
-
Long hours of study can cause eye strain.
-
Heavy lifting is a cause of muscle strain.
2
strain
/ˈstreɪn/
verb
strains;
strained;
straining
2
strain
/ˈstreɪn/
verb
strains;
strained;
straining
Britannica Dictionary definition of STRAIN
1
[+ object]
:
to injure (a body part or muscle) by too much tension, use, or effort
—
compare sprain
-
I strained my back trying to lift the couch.
-
Too much computer work strains the eyes.
-
He strained a muscle in his leg.
2
:
to try very hard to do or get something
— often followed by to + verb
[no object]
— often + for
-
He was straining for air. [=he was struggling to breathe]
-
He strained to open the jar.
-
She strained to sing the high notes.
-
The people in the back of the room strained to hear the speaker.
[+ object]
-
I strained my ears to hear [=I tried very hard to hear] what they were whispering.
-
I strained my eyes [=I tried very hard to see] in the darkness.
3
a
:
to be pulled or stretched in a forceful way
— sometimes used figuratively
[no object]
-
His muscles strained under the heavy weight.
[+ object]
-
People were straining their necks [=were lifting their heads as high as they could by stretching their necks] to see the fight.
-
You are straining (the limits of) my patience with your nagging.
b
[no object]
:
to pull hard on or push hard against something
— + at or against
— sometimes used figuratively
-
The dog strained at its leash.
-
His belly strained against the buttons of the shirt.
-
The kids were straining at the leash to get going. [=were very eager to get going]
4
[+ object]
:
to cause problems or trouble for (something)
-
The disagreement strained their relationship.
-
The rent has strained our finances.
-
The company is financially strained.
5
[+ object]
:
to separate a liquid from solid pieces by using a special device (called a strainer)
-
He strained the pasta. = He strained the water from the pasta.
-
She strained the gravy. = She strained the lumps out of the gravy.
strain yourself
1
:
to injure yourself by making your muscles do too much work
-
Don't strain yourself trying to move the couch.
2
:
to put a lot of physical or mental effort into doing something
-
Don't strain yourself trying to think of the answer. I can tell you what it is.
3
strain
/ˈstreɪn/
noun
plural
strains
3
strain
/ˈstreɪn/
noun
plural
strains
Britannica Dictionary definition of STRAIN
1
[count]
:
a group of closely related plants or animals
:
variety
— often + of
-
a strong strain of wheat
-
a new strain of bacteria
-
This strain of mice is resistant to the disease.
2
[count]
literary + somewhat old-fashioned
:
a usually bad quality that someone or something has
— usually singular
— usually + of
-
There is a strain of snobbery in her.
-
There is a strain of madness in that family.
3
[singular]
formal + literary
:
a small amount of something
-
There was a strain [=touch, trace] of sadness in his voice.
4
[count]
:
a kind or sort of something
— usually + of
-
a different strain of philosophy
-
a new strain of pop music
5
strains
[plural]
formal
:
the musical sounds of someone or something
-
We relaxed to the strains of Chopin.
-
the strains of a harp
