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

Trudeau’s explosive announcement came amid strains in relations between Canada and India. —Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2023

The former Don't Be Tardy stars appear to have suffered from financial strain. —Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2023

Related:What to know about the autoworkers’ strike against GM, Ford and Stellantis A prolonged strike that eventually leads to work stoppages at other plants could send shock waves through the automotive supply chain and raise car prices in a U.S. economy already under strain. —Irving Mejia-Hilario, Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2023

But the three-time Grand Slam champion was playing under an emotional strain in his recent Davis Cup match in England. —Chantz Martin, Fox News, 15 Sep. 2023

Looking back on Skeletons, the strain floats just below the surface. —Jeff Gage, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2023

Some seasons may be more severe than others based on the strains of the viruses circulating and immunity to the viruses. —Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2023

His return in 2022 was then delayed because of a severe hamstring strain. —Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2023

Two starters — left guard Tyler Smith (hamstring strain) and safety Donovan Wilson (calf) — didn’t practice. —David Moore, Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2023

Verb

Enter Email Sign Up Burrow strained a calf muscle early in training camp and was out of action until last week. —Rob Maaddi and Mitch Stacy, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023

The resulting epic mud pit, filled with all manner of litter and trash, might strain the resources of the Burning Man Organization—the gathering’s governing body, also referred to as the Org—to the breaking point. —Alden Wicker, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2023

Simmer the mixture until the honey is infused and strain into a bowl. —Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2023

Depletion of cash reserves: Using a significant amount of cash to buy a car can drain your savings and strain your finances. —Ashley Donohoe, Car and Driver, 5 Sep. 2023

Across the country, tensions over water are mounting as climate change, drought and development strain an increasingly scarce natural resource. —David Gelles, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023

The Great Depression had strained food sources to the limit, and producers, like many Americans, were desperate to stay afloat. —Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023

For example: Sativa strains often possess uplifting and energizing flavors, which can translate into a more invigorating experience when consuming delta 8 extracted from these strains. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023

Slapping universal tariffs on all foreign goods based on the notion that all other countries are somehow competing unfairly would strain America’s alliances to their breaking point. —Alan Wolff, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2023

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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

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

See More

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

See More

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