strain

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈstrān 

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

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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• ancestry
• birth
• blood
• bloodline
• breeding
• descent
• extraction
• family tree
• genealogy
• line
• lineage
• origin
• parentage
• pedigree
• stock

Verb

• pull
• rack
• stretch
• wrench

Noun (2)

• pressure
• stress
• tension

Examples of strain in a Sentence

Noun (1)

descended from a strain of Irish seafarers

the strain of an old Irish ballad rose up from the revelers downstairs

detected a strain of panic in her voice when she asked if the substance was poisonous

writes mystery novels of a more sophisticated strain

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.

Noun (2)

the family's constant moving is putting a real strain on the children

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Their love was tested when a major project presented unforeseen difficulties, causing stress and strain. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

The highly common herpes strain, also called varicella-zoster virus (VZV), can cause chickenpox in childhood and later develop into shingles in older or immuno-compromised adults. —Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

Verb

Trump's trade policies have also strained relations with key trading partners, including Canada and Mexico. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

Manipulating your neck too aggressively or frequently can also strain the muscles surrounding your cervical spine, which can lead to pain, stiffness, or muscle spasms in your neck. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 12 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing strain

• inter-strain
• repetitive strain injury
• strain a point
• strain at the leash
• strain gauge
• strain one's ears
• strain oneself
• strain one's eyes
• strain one's neck
• under (a/the) strain

Rhymes for strain

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• cane
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign

Kids Definition

strain

1 of 3 noun

ˈstrān 

1

a

: lineage, ancestry

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

: melody sense 2, tune

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

ˈstrān 

: 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