stress

1 of 2

noun

ˈstres 

1

: constraining force or influence: such as

a

: a force exerted when one body or body part presses on, pulls on, pushes against, or tends to compress or twist another body or body part

especially : the intensity of this mutual force commonly expressed in pounds per square inch

b

: the deformation caused in a body by such a force

c

: a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation

d

: a state resulting from a stress

especially : one of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium

job-related stress

e

: strain, pressure

the environment is under stress to the point of collapse

—Joseph Shoben

2

: emphasis, weight

lay stress on a point

3

archaic : intense effort or exertion

4

: intensity of utterance given to a speech sound, syllable, or word producing relative loudness

5

a

: relative force or prominence of sound in verse

b

: a syllable having relative force or prominence

6

: accent sense 5a

stress

2 of 2

verb

stressed; stressing; stresses

transitive verb

1

: to subject to physical or psychological stress

stressing the equipment

this traffic is stressing me out

2

: to subject to phonetic stress : accent

3

: to lay stress on : emphasize

stressed the importance of teamwork

intransitive verb

: to feel stress

stressing about the big exam

—often used with out

Synonyms

Noun

• pressure
• strain
• tension

Verb

• bother
• fear
• fret
• fuss
• stew
• sweat
• trouble
• worry

Examples of stress in a Sentence

Noun

She uses meditation as a way of reducing stress.

Hormones are released into the body in response to emotional stress.

She is dealing with the stresses of working full-time and going to school.

He talked about the stresses and strains of owning a business.

Carrying a heavy backpack around all day puts a lot of stress on your shoulders and back.

To reduce the amount of stress on your back, bend your knees when you lift something heavy.

The ship's mast snapped under the stress of high winds.

measuring the effects of stresses on the material

Verb

The union stressed the need for stricter safety standards.

The risks involved in the procedure should be stressed.

Some people stress the second syllable of “harassment,” while others stress the first.

When she said, “We need lots of money,” she stressed the word “lots.”

It's not an important decision and it isn't worth stressing over.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Doing the work in stages can reduce the stress on your pocketbook. —George Petras, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023

Minimize stress Aim to relax and reduce stress or worries. —Christin Perry, Parents, 10 Sep. 2023

Magnesium is great for sleep [as well as] relaxation and helping manage stress. —Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2023

But over many years, the slow movement near Africa’s northern coast can build enough stress to cause violent quakes, including Friday’s deadly temblor. —Constant Méheut, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2023

The class will discuss writing techniques to express thoughts and relieve stress. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2023

Nor is the film much interested in drawing any sweeping conclusions about the communities each belongs to — although its matter-of-fact acknowledgments about the everyday stresses of working-class life or the violent hostility faced by gay and trans people are statements in themselves. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023

Heat stress also suppresses the immune system, leaving her more susceptible to disease. —Katherine Rapin, Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2023

Cortisol, a stress hormone, can also cause increased inflammation and excess sebum, resulting in clogged pores. —Myranda Mondry, Allure, 7 Sep. 2023

Verb

Kent State opened on Aug. 31 -- the Thursday night leading into Labor Day weekend -- and with a couple of extra days to prepare for Arkansas, Burns said the team had some physical practices stressing improved tackling. —Bob Holt, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2023

The former Alabama offensive coordinator stressed two points when asked about his team’s chances in Tuscaloosa. —Mark Heim | [e-mail], al, 9 Sep. 2023

Read full article Kraft, who was out on the practice field Thursday, has continued to express optimism about 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones and the team’s future, but has also stressed the importance of results. —Nicole Yang, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023

The trick behind this scheme is to ignore serious issues on which Democrats are weak but that Republican also fail to stress. —Armond White, National Review, 8 Sep. 2023

Back at Sacred Hearts, Lolesio stresses how important children are to the future of the island and its cultures. —Jacqueline Yoo, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2023

After the grizzly was euthanized, officials have stressed to residents in the Yellowstone area to be vigilant in preventing an unwanted house guest. —Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023

Instead, defense attorneys Phillip Cohen and Holley stressed to jurors discrepancies between police reports and testimony as well as the absence of toxicology reports supporting accusations that Masterson drugged his accusers. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2023

Much of the equipment on the rail line is from the late Cold War era, and seriously stressed, said Trent Telenko, a former quality control auditor for the US’ Defense Contract Management Agency who has studied Russian logistics. —Brad Lendon, CNN, 7 Sep. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stresse stress, distress, short for destresse — more at distress

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1540, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing stress

• anti-stress
• lay great stress/emphasis on
• de-stress
• storm and stress
• sentence stress
• lay/put stress on
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• stress mark
• stress test
• stress incontinence
• stress fracture
• stress ball
• under stress
• word stress
• stress management

See More

• anti-stress
• lay great stress/emphasis on
• de-stress
• storm and stress
• sentence stress
• lay/put stress on
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• stress mark
• stress test
• stress incontinence
• stress fracture
• stress ball
• under stress
• word stress
• stress management

See More

Kids Definition

stress

1 of 2 noun

ˈstres 

1

a

: a force that acts when one body or part of a body presses on, pulls on, pushes against, or tends to squeeze or twist another body or part of a body

b

: the change in shape caused in a body by such a force

c

: a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be involved in causing some diseases

also : a state of tension resulting from a stress

2

: special importance given to something : emphasis, weight

lay stress on a point

3

: relative force or loudness of sound

"finally" has the stress on the first syllable

4

: accent entry 1 sense 4

stressless

-ləs

adjective

stress

2 of 2 verb

1

: to subject to physical or emotional stress

stressing the equipment

this traffic is stressing me out

2

: to pronounce with stress

stress the last syllable

3

: emphasize

stressed the importance of teamwork

4

: to feel stress

stressing about the big test

Medical Definition

stress

1 of 2 noun

ˈstres 

1

a

: a force exerted when one body or body part presses on, pulls on, pushes against, or tends to compress or twist another body or body part

especially : the intensity of this mutual force commonly expressed in pounds per square inch

b

: the deformation caused in a body by such a force

2

a

: a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation

b

: a state of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium

3

: the force exerted between teeth of the upper and lower jaws during mastication

stress

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to subject to stress

a patient stressed by surgery