strain

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
b
: a group of presumed common ancestry with clear-cut physiological but usually not morphological distinctions
a high-yielding strain of winter wheat
broadly : a specified infraspecific group (such as a stock, line, or ecotype)
c
: kind, sort
discussions of a lofty strain
2
a
: inherited or inherent character, quality, or disposition
a strain of weakness in the family
b
: trace, streak
a strain of fanaticism
3
a
: tune, air
b
: a passage of verbal or musical expression
c
: a stream or outburst of forceful or impassioned speech
4
a
: the tenor, pervading note, burden, or tone of an utterance or of a course of action or conduct
b

strain

2 of 3

verb

strained; straining; strains

transitive verb

1
a
: to draw tight : cause to fit firmly
strain the bandage over the wound
b
: to stretch to maximum extension and tautness
strain a canvas over a frame
2
a
: to exert (oneself, one's senses, etc.) to the utmost
b
: to injure by overuse, misuse, or excessive pressure
strained his back
c
: to cause a change of form or size in (a body) by application of external force
3
: to squeeze or clasp tightly: such as
a
: hug
b
: to compress painfully : constrict
4
a
: to cause to pass through a strainer : filter
b
: to remove by straining
strain lumps out of the gravy
5
: to stretch beyond a proper limit
that story strains my credulity
6
obsolete : to squeeze out : extort

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make violent efforts : strive
has to strain to reach the high notes
b
: to pull against resistance
a dog straining at its leash
c
: to contract the muscles forcefully in attempting to defecate
often used in the phrase strain at stool
2
: to pass through or as if through a strainer
the liquid strains readily
3
: to make great difficulty or resistance : balk

strain

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
: an act of straining or the condition of being strained: such as
a
: bodily injury from excessive tension, effort, or use
heart strain
especially : one resulting from a wrench or twist and involving undue stretching of muscles or ligaments
back strain
b
: excessive or difficult exertion or labor
c
: excessive physical or mental tension
also : a force, influence, or factor causing such tension
a strain on the marriage
d
: deformation of a material body under the action of applied forces
2
: an unusual reach, degree, or intensity : pitch
3
archaic : a strained interpretation of something said or written
Phrases
strain a point
: to go beyond a usual, accepted, or proper limit or rule

Examples of strain in a Sentence

Verb I strained my back trying to lift the couch. Too much computer work strains the eyes. He strained a muscle in his leg. His muscles strained under the heavy weight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Yet the loans and interest payments can be a significant strain that shapes families’ spending choices. Claire Ballentine, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Some blamed a spike in the cost of reinsurance — insurance policies that insurance companies buy to cover their big losses — and financial strains caused by inflation that have made materials and labor for home repair and rebuilding costly. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 In recent years, aquifers, including those supplying Kingman, Douglas, Willcox and Gila Bend, have seen water tables drop under the strain of pumping, often by industrial nut, alfalfa and dairy operations that have moved in. The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 Outside of shielding your tablet screen from scratches or worse, a screen protector can also help decrease eye strain by lessening the brightness, says Dr. Musielak. Tanya Edwards, Parents, 13 Mar. 2024 Others such as Vibrio cholerae (bacteria that cause cholera) and Escherichia coli (bacteria that can cause a variety of infections depending on the strain) are more likely to spread through fecal contamination of food and water. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 But the Dublin riots and subsequent protests have cast the spotlight on the emergence of a new right-wing strain of politics and its amplification on social media. Caolán Magee, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 While usually not connected to a State Department travel advisory, the quest to solve America’s healthcare worker shortage, and the subsequent strain on Jamaica’s healthcare infrastructure, as a reason to avoid travel to the island. Richard Fowler, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 If not for that strain on hydroelectricity, CO2 pollution from the power sector would probably have fallen last year. Justine Calma, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
The housing market is being strained in multiple directions, but has remained hot overall. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Beijing’s relations with the United States and European governments were badly strained over Mr. Xi’s partnership with President Vladimir V. Putin. Chris Buckley, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Budgets are strained in places like Chicago, Denver, and New York, which provide social services to migrants and asylum-seekers. Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 Since its surge, Target’s core middle-class customer base has been strained by higher prices and pulled back on discretionary goods, such as home decor, electronics and non-essential clothing. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 Coleman added 17 points, five rebounds and four steals despite being a game-time decision to play after straining her Achilles in the semifinals on Thursday. Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Mar. 2024 Relations between the two countries have been strained after Khan accused the U.S., Sharif and the Pakistani military of conspiring to keep him out of office, following his ouster. Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 An ‘adversarial’ relationship Already strained relations between the U.N. and Israel deteriorated significantly after Israel levied explosive allegations in January that a dozen UNRWA employees were involved in the attacks on Oct. 7. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Occasionally, this fervent dot-connecting grows strained, as in a chapter that intersects the Voice with graffiti culture, breakdancing, and the emergence of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Michelle Orange, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English streen progeny, lineage, from Old English strēon gain, acquisition; akin to Old High German gistriuni gain, Latin struere to heap up — more at strew

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French estreindre, from Latin stringere to bind or draw tight, press together; akin to Greek strang-, stranx drop squeezed out, strangalē halter

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1558, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of strain was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near strain

Cite this Entry

“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strain. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

strain

1 of 3 noun
1
b
: a group of plants or animals that look alike but have characteristics (as the ability to resist disease) that make them slightly different : variety sense 3b
a strong strain of winter wheat
2
a
: a quality or disposition that is natural or runs through a family
a strain of genius in the family
b
: a small amount : trace, streak
a strain of sadness
3
4
: the manner or style of something said or of a course of action or conduct

strain

2 of 3 verb
1
a
: to draw tight : cause to clasp firmly
b
: to stretch to maximum extension and tightness
2
a
: to try one's hardest : strive
b
: to injure or be injured by overuse, misuse, or pressure
strained the heart by overwork
strain one's back by lifting
3
a
: to pass or cause to pass through or as if through a strainer : filter
b
: to remove by straining
strain lumps out of the gravy
4
: to stretch beyond a proper limit
strain the truth

strain

3 of 3 noun
1
: an act of straining or the state of being strained
2
: bodily injury caused by too much tension, effort, or use
heart strain
especially : one resulting from a wrench or twist and involving severe stretching of muscles or ligaments
back strain

Medical Definition

strain

1 of 3 noun
: a group of presumed common ancestry with clear-cut physiological but usually not morphological distinctions
a highly virulent strain of bacteria

strain

2 of 3 transitive verb
1
a
: to exert (as oneself) to the utmost
b
: to injure by overuse, misuse, or excessive pressure
strained his heart by overwork
c
: to cause a change of form or size in (a body) by application of external force
2
: to cause to pass through a strainer

intransitive verb

: to contract the muscles forcefully in attempting to defecate
often used in the phrase strain at stool

strain

3 of 3 noun
: an act of straining or the condition of being strained: as
a
: excessive physical or mental tension
also : a force, influence, or factor causing such tension
b
: bodily injury from excessive tension, effort, or use
heart strain
especially : one resulting from a wrench or twist and involving undue stretching of muscles or ligaments
back strain
compare sprain
c
: deformation of a material body under the action of applied forces

More from Merriam-Webster on strain

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