TENS

noun

ˈtenz 

1

[transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation] : electrical stimulation of the skin to relieve pain by interfering with the neural transmission of signals from underlying pain receptors

2

[transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator] : a device used for TENS

Examples of TENS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also consider topical anesthetics and analgesic patches, or mild transcutaneous neurostimulation such as the TENS device, which applies a low-voltage current to the skin. —Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025

Procedures and devices can also be used to manage pain such as steroid injections, nerve blocks, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and surgery. —Lipi Roy, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

Electrical Stimulation Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) is a non-surgical treatment commonly used to treat incontinence. —Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive therapy that uses low-level electrical currents to alleviate pain. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for TENS

• bens
• cleanse
• dens
• gens
• glens
• hens
• jens
• pens
• wrens
• zens
• cheyennes
• demesnes

Medical Definition

TENS

abbreviation or noun

ˈtenz 

1

: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

For TENS, electrodes that send out tiny electric impulses are placed on the skin.

—Dana Sullivan, Women's Sports & Fitness

2

: a device used for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation : transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator

The TENS runs on batteries and is the size of a beeper. It has small cables with pads on the end that deliver small electrical shocks to the area in pain.

—Harry Wessel, The Chicago Tribune