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

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

Advice from an expert:Eye strain in a digital age USA TODAY Tech columnist Kim Komando shares ways to detach from your devices Kim Komando wrote in a column for USA TODAY that people who are attached to their smartphones need to cut the screen time in half. —USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024

The financial strain of singledom folds into womens’ life choices. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

Initial studies suggest that probiotics may provide additional immune support, though more research is needed to understand the strain, dose, and timing of probiotics in relation to cold and flu season. —Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Verywell Health, 19 Apr. 2024

That strain of collaboration within SHG, says Rivera, has led to a best-idea-wins style of leadership that aligns with LRMR Ventures. —Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024

But port officials said operations could begin to show signs of strain if the Baltimore port did not reopen by the end of May, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects to restore normal traffic to the port. —Peter Eavis, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024

The evening had been a strain for the wife, but the husband had been relaxed in a way the wife hadn’t seen him before, drinking more than usual—though not excessively, for the husband did nothing in excess. —Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

Weeks later, news broke that several herds in these states, as well as North Carolina, had been diagnosed with avian influenza — the same strain that has devastated bird populations across the globe and shown a troubling ability to jump to mammals. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024

Certainly, the Sino-Russian relationship is not without its strains, and existing tensions may be exacerbated as China grows more confident and is tempted to start bossing around the Russians in a more heavy-handed way—something that no ruler in Moscow would take lightly. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024

Verb

That constant vigilance has strained the patience of some poultry farmers. —Linda Qiu, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024

Two more insurers are pulling out of California’s troubled homeowners insurance market, straining a marketplace that already has seen the pullback of several other companies that have cited increase costs related to wildfire risks. —Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024

He was selected to play in the Senior Bowl in January but strained his hamstring during practices in Mobile, Ala. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024

When asked what comes after that, his response was strained. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024

Shake rum, Cointreau, dry vermouth, lemon juice, and vanilla syrup with ice and strain into the prepared glass. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2024

Some franchisees felt they had been left out of negotiations with lawmakers, straining their relations with corporate headquarters. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024

Between high mortgage rates and climbing prices, purchasing a house in today’s market strains new buyers. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024

If, for example, China decides to make a move in the Taiwan Strait, Russia could simultaneously stage a provocative large-scale military drill in Europe, helping China by straining U.S. capacities to respond. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024

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

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