strain

play

noun \ ˈstrān \

Definition of strain

1 a :lineage, ancestry

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 :mood, temper

Origin and Etymology of strain

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

strain

verb

Definition of strain

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 a point

:to go beyond a usual, accepted, or proper limit or rule

See strain defined for English-language learners

Examples of strain in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of strain

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

strain Synonyms

Synonyms

pull, rack, stretch, wrench

Antonyms

loosen, slack, slacken

Related Words

fray, tax, weaken; damage, harm, hurt, impair, wound; batter, bruise, tear; cripple, lame, mangle, mutilate

Near Antonyms

break, ease (up), let up, slacken; bum, chill, dally, dillydally, footle, goldbrick, goof (off), hack (around), hang (around or out), idle, laze, loaf, lounge, shirk, slack (off), veg out; bask, loll, relax, repose, rest, unwind; dabble, doodle, fool around, fribble, goof (around), hang, hang about [British], mess around, monkey (around), play, potter (around), putter (around), trifle

strain

noun

Definition of strain

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

First Known Use of strain

1558

STRAIN Defined for English Language Learners

strain

verb

Definition of strain for English Language Learners

: to injure (a body part or muscle) by too much tension, use, or effort
: to try very hard to do or get something
: to be pulled or stretched in a forceful way

STRAIN Defined for Kids

strain

play

noun \ ˈstrān \

Definition of strain for Students

1 :a group of closely related living things that look similar but possess one or more unique characteristics

Scientists are developing a new strain of wheat.

2 :a quality or disposition that runs through a family or group

There's a strain of genius in that family.

3 :a small amount :trace

There was a strain of sadness in his voice.

4 :melody 2, tune

strain

verb

Definition of strain for Students

strained; straining

1 :to stretch or be stretched, pulled, or used to the limit

My muscles strained under the load.

2 :to stretch beyond a proper limit

The story strains the truth.

3 :to try very hard :make a great effort

People in the back strained to hear.

4 :to injure or be injured by too much or too hard use or effort

Don't strain your back.

5 :to press or pass through a strainer :filter

strain juice

6 :to pour off liquid from by using a strainer

Boil and then strain the pasta.

strain

noun

Definition of strain for Students

1 :great worry and concern or physical effort

Perhaps, the pressures of everyday stress and strain had gotten her down.
—E. L. Konigsburg, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

2 :something that causes great worry and concern or physical effort

Running the business was a strain on him.

The heavy load was a strain on her back.

3 :bodily injury resulting from too much use or from a wrench or twist that stretches muscles and ligaments

4 :a force that pulls or stretches something to its limit :stress

Medical Dictionary

strain

play

noun \ ˈstrān \

medical Definition of strain

:a group of presumed common ancestry with clear-cut physiological but usually not morphological distinctions

a highly virulent strain of bacteria

strain

transitive verb

medical Definition of strain

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

noun

medical Definition of strain

: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

Learn More about strain

See words that rhyme with strain Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for strain Spanish Central: Translation of strain Nglish: Translation of strain for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of strain for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about strain

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up strain? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

strain

Definition of strain

Read the Latest from M-W

Origin and Etymology of strain

Other Biology Terms

strain

Definition of strain

Examples of strain in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of strain

strain Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

strain

Definition of strain

First Known Use of strain

Phrases Related to STRAIN

Related Phrases

STRAIN Defined for English Language Learners

strain

Definition of strain for English Language Learners

STRAIN Defined for Kids

strain

Definition of strain for Students

strain

Definition of strain for Students

strain

Definition of strain for Students

Medical Dictionary

strain

medical Definition of strain

strain

medical Definition of strain

strain

medical Definition of strain

Learn More about strain

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066