tensile

adjective

ten·sile ˈten(t)-səl

also ˈten-ˌsī(-ə)l

: capable of tension : ductile

: of, relating to, or involving tension

tensile stress

tensility

ten-ˈsi-lə-tē

noun

Examples of tensile in a Sentence

the tensile strength of steel cable

Recent Examples on the Web These blades can withstand the high tensile force that the frame applies to the blade. —

Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023 Her voice, agile and tensile, is the thing that propelled her from a career as a kid on Broadway (in Les Miz and Ragtime) to Spring Awakening and Glee. —

Vulture, 2 Oct. 2022 The architect designed one that was supported by tensile forces, a structural building technique Piano has used throughout his career, most notably in his design for the Pompidou Center and the Columbus Exposition in Genoa. —

Diana Budds, Curbed, 7 June 2022 Fullertubes also have a range of optical and tensile properties that the researchers are still exploring. —

James R. Riordon, Quanta Magazine, 20 Dec. 2022 See all Example Sentences for tensile

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tensile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin tensilis, from Latin tendere "to extend outward, stretch" + -tilis "subject to, susceptible to (the action of the verb)" — more at tender entry 3

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of tensile was in 1626

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