strait

adjective \ ˈstrāt \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of strait

1 archaic : strict, rigorous

2 archaic

a : narrow

b : limited in space or time

c : closely fitting : constricted, tight

3 a : causing distress : difficult

b : limited as to means or resources

—

straitly

adverb

—

straitness

noun

Recent Examples of strait from the Web

India will have to gird for the coming border war with an expansionist China, and Taiwan will prepare for the inevitable cross-strait invasion.

— jerry hendrix, National Review, "Why the United States Needs a 355-Ship Navy Now," 18 Oct. 2017
While other performers revel in the inherent humor of their roles, Laura Carns is entrusted with the more strait-laced persona of Alice Sycamore.

— bob kostanczuk, Post-Tribune, "Opera House brings new life to 'You Can't Take it With You'," 6 Sep. 2017
One of the world's most important sea lanes, millions of barrels of oil and petroleum products pass through the strait daily, according to GlobalSecurity.org.

— brad lendon and steve george, CNN, "China sends troops to Djibouti, establishes first overseas military base," 13 July 2017
A laconic, strait-laced, hilariously hard-boiled investigator with an encyclopedic knowledge of perps past and present, Miramontes’ Charlie isn’t about to be led around by the nose by femmes Mona or Veronica.

— Orange County Register, "‘Kill Me, Deadly’ in Fullerton delivers dead-on parody of film noir," 29 Mar. 2017
Subsequent episodes, including one in which the most strait-laced teacher got looped on alcohol and ran wild and naked through the halls like a demented leprechaun, maintained the madcap standard.

— james wolcott, HWD, "5 Underrated TV Shows You Should Watch Right Now," 18 Jan. 2017
Subsequent episodes, including one in which the most strait-laced teacher got looped on alcohol and ran wild and naked through the halls like a demented leprechaun, maintained the madcap standard.

— james wolcott, vanityfair.com, "5 Underrated TV Shows You Should Watch Right Now," 18 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strait.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

strait or straight?

Straight and strait are homophones (“one of two or more words pronounced alike but different in meaning or derivation or spelling”), and many people are in the habit of confusing such creatures, particularly when used in fixed phrases. If you express no emotion you have a straight face; an upright person is a straight shooter; a straight flush is “a poker hand containing five cards of the same suit in sequence.” However, if you find yourself in a difficult situation you are in dire straits. Straitjacket and straitlaced are the more commonly used forms for the restrictive garment and the “strict in manners” adjective, although straightjacket and straightlaced are also occasionally found.

Origin and Etymology of strait

Middle English, from Anglo-French estreit, from Latin strictus strait, strict, from past participle of stringere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

strait

adverb

Definition of strait

obsolete

: in a close or tight manner

First Known Use of strait

13th century

strait

noun

Definition of strait

1 a archaic : a narrow space or passage

b : a comparatively narrow passageway connecting two large bodies of water —often used in plural but singular in construction

c : isthmus

2 : a situation of perplexity or distress —often used in plural

in dire straits

See strait defined for English-language learners

See strait defined for kids

Examples of strait in a Sentence

Her campaign is in desperate straits.
The company is in desperate financial straits.
The economy is in dire straits.

Recent Examples of strait from the Web

The Soviet Union was choking on corruption at this point, and its people were in dire straits.

— todd vanderwerff, Vox, "The Americans begins its long plunge toward the end in a riveting episode," 12 Apr. 2018
Much of China’s global shipping passes through the strait.

— The Economist, "China wants to be a polar power," 12 Apr. 2018
Despite Venezuela's desperate economic straits, TeleSUR's English-language video output is increasing.

— Fox News, "With social media, Venezuela exerts influence on Americans," 10 Apr. 2018
Still, without the Nobles stepping up, these farmers could be in dire straits.

— rick barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cheese-maker stepping up to help save 4 family farms as dairy crisis deepens," 9 Apr. 2018
Wilson-Frame and Stevenson returning gives new coach Jeff Capel something to work with, but Pittsburgh is once again in dire straits.

— jeff greer, The Courier-Journal, "Way too early ACC power rankings: Where does Louisville basketball stack up next season?," 5 Apr. 2018
Many are finding their current economic straits nearly as threatening as the storm.

— sarah varney, Washington Post, "Time’s Running Out: The Frail In Puerto Rico Face End Of Hurricane Relief Programs," 30 Mar. 2018
Passing through the strait is increasingly commonplace for the Liaoning, though the Taiwanese ministry noted that the carrier stayed on the Chinese side and exhibited no unusual behavior.

— chris horton, New York Times, "In Taiwan, U.S. Official Says Commitment ‘Has Never Been Stronger’," 21 Mar. 2018
Many die within months, often leaving behind families in dire financial straits.

— lindsay gellman, Longreads, "The Last Resort," 22 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of strait

14th century

strait Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of strait

juncture, exigency, emergency, contingency, pinch, strait (or straits) crisis mean a critical or crucial time or state of affairs. juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

- an important juncture in our country's history

exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

- provide for exigencies

emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

- the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

- contingency plans

pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

- come through in a pinch

strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

- in dire straits

crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

- a crisis of confidence

Other Oceanography Terms

littoral, sound

STRAIT Defined for English Language Learners

strait

noun

Definition of strait for English Language Learners

: a narrow passage of water that connects two large bodies of water
straits : a very difficult situation

STRAIT Defined for Kids

strait

noun \ ˈstrāt \

Definition of strait for Students

1 : a narrow channel connecting two bodies of water

2 : a situation of difficulty or distress —often used in pl.

The lost hikers were in dire straits.

Learn More about strait

See words that rhyme with strait Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for strait Spanish Central: Translation of strait Nglish: Translation of strait for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of strait for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

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

show

strait

Definition of strait

straitly

straitness

Recent Examples of strait from the Web

strait or straight?

Origin and Etymology of strait

strait

Definition of strait

First Known Use of strait

strait

Definition of strait

Examples of strait in a Sentence

Recent Examples of strait from the Web

First Known Use of strait

strait Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of strait

Other Oceanography Terms

Phrases Related to STRAIT

Related Phrases

STRAIT Defined for English Language Learners

strait

Definition of strait for English Language Learners

STRAIT Defined for Kids

strait

Definition of strait for Students

Learn More about strait

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes