prestress

1 of 2

verb

pre·​stress (ˌ)prē-ˈstres 

prestressed; prestressing; prestresses

transitive verb

: to introduce internal stresses into (something, such as a structural beam) to counteract the stresses that will result from applied load (as in incorporating cables under tension in concrete)

prestress

2 of 2

noun

pre·​stress ˈprē-ˌstres 

ˌprē-ˈstres

1

: the stresses introduced in prestressing

2

: the process of prestressing

3

: the condition of being prestressed

Examples of prestress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

According to its website, Spancrete produces precast, prestressed concrete products that are used in commercial, industrial, institutional, residential and multifamily construction projects in the Midwest and Southeast. —Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2019

A start-up ecosystem An anchor of this district is the Halle Freyssinet — a gargantuan railway yard built by the engineer (Eugène Freyssinet) who pioneered the use of prestressed concrete. —The Washington Post, The Denver Post, 5 Jan. 2017

Noun

Markham puts the Boring brick up against a new red clay brick, a used red clay brick, a cinderblock-style brick with what look like prestress wires through the middle, and a plain cinderblock brick. —Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 8 Oct. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1934, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1