strand

noun (1)

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\ ˈstrand

Definition of strand

(Entry 1 of 5)

: the land bordering a body of water : shore, beach

strand

verb (1)

stranded; stranding; strands

Definition of strand (Entry 2 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to run, drive, or cause to drift onto a strand : run aground

2 : to leave in a strange or an unfavorable place especially without funds or means to depart

3 : to leave (a base runner) on base at the end of an inning in baseball

intransitive verb

: to become stranded

strand

noun (2)

Definition of strand (Entry 3 of 5)

1 Scotland and dialects of England : stream

2 Scotland and dialects of England : sea

strand

noun (3)

Definition of strand (Entry 4 of 5)

1a : fibers or filaments twisted, plaited, or laid parallel to form a unit for further twisting or plaiting into yarn, thread, rope, or cordage

b : one of the wires twisted together or laid parallel to form a wire rope or cable

c : something (such as a molecular chain) resembling a strand a strand of DNA

2a : an element (such as a yarn or thread) of a woven or plaited material

b : a threadlike piece of natural or synthetic material a strand of hair

3 : an elongated or twisted and plaited body resembling a rope a strand of pearls

4 : one of the elements interwoven in a complex whole one strand of the novel's plot

strand

verb (2)

stranded; stranding; strands

Definition of strand (Entry 5 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to break a strand of (a rope) accidentally

2a : to form (something, such as a rope) from strands

b : to play out, twist, or arrange in a strand

First Known Use of strand

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1621, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for strand

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old Norse strǫnd shore

Noun (2)

Middle English stronde, strande

Noun (3)

Middle English strond

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Cite this Entry

“Strand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strand. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for strand

strand

noun

\ ˈstrand

Kids Definition of strand

(Entry 1 of 3)

: the land bordering a body of water : shore, beach

strand

verb

stranded; stranding

Kids Definition of strand (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : to run, drive, or cause to drift from the water onto land The storm stranded boats.

2 : to leave in a strange or unfavorable place especially without any way of leaving He's stranded in a strange city.

strand

noun

Kids Definition of strand (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : one of the fibers, threads, strings, or wires twisted or braided to make a cord, rope, or cable

2 : something long or twisted like a rope a strand of pearls

strand

noun

\ ˈstrand

Medical Definition of strand

: something (as a molecular chain) resembling a thread a strand of DNA

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strand

Definition of strand

First Known Use of strand

History and Etymology for strand

Learn More about strand

Dictionary Entries near strand

Statistics for strand

Kids Definition of strand