stress
8 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
stresses
plural
stresses
Britannica Dictionary definition of STRESS
1
a
[noncount]
:
a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc.
-
She uses meditation as a way of reducing/relieving stress.
-
Hormones are released into the body in response to emotional stress.
-
He needs help with stress management. [=ways to deal with stress]
b
:
something that causes strong feelings of worry or anxiety
[noncount]
-
I'm sorry for being grumpy. I've been under (a lot of) stress at work lately.
[count]
-
She is dealing with the stresses of working full-time and going to school.
-
He talked about the stresses and strains of owning a business.
2
:
physical force or pressure
[noncount]
-
Carrying a heavy backpack around all day puts a lot of stress on your shoulders and back.
-
To reduce the amount of stress on your back, bend your knees when you lift something heavy.
-
The ship's mast snapped under the stress of high winds.
[count]
-
measuring the effects of stresses on the material
3
[noncount]
:
special importance or attention that is given to something
-
The teacher laid/put stress on [=emphasized] the need for good study habits.
4
:
greater loudness or force given to a syllable of a word in speech or to a beat in music
[noncount]
-
Stress falls on the first syllable of the word “language.”
[count]
-
Stresses fall on different beats in different parts of the song.
-
The stress [=accent] is on the first syllable.
2
stress
/ˈstrɛs/
verb
stresses;
stressed;
stressing
2
stress
/ˈstrɛs/
verb
stresses;
stressed;
stressing
Britannica Dictionary definition of STRESS
1
[+ object]
:
to give special attention to (something)
-
The dentist repeatedly stressed [=emphasized] the importance of flossing regularly.
-
The union stressed the need for stricter safety standards.
-
The risks involved in the procedure should/must be stressed.
2
[+ object]
:
to pronounce (a syllable or word) in a louder or more forceful way than other syllables or words
-
Some people stress the second syllable of “harassment,” while others stress the first.
-
When she said, “We need lots of money,” she stressed the word “lots.”
3
US, informal
:
to feel very worried or anxious about something
:
to feel stress
[no object]
-
It's not an important decision and it isn't worth stressing over.
-
You don't need to stress [=stress out] about the exam. You'll do fine.
[+ object]
-
Not having a clear plan was stressing me. [=stressing me out]
stress out
[phrasal verb]
stress out
or
stress (someone) out
or
stress out (someone)
informal
:
to feel very worried or anxious or to make (someone) feel very worried or anxious
-
I hate being around her when she's stressing out.
-
Work is stressing him out.
