tensor

noun

ten·​sor ˈten(t)-sər  ˈten-ˌsȯr 

1

: a muscle that stretches a part

2

: a generalized vector with more than three components each of which is a function of the coordinates of an arbitrary point in space of an appropriate number of dimensions

Examples of tensor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Along the outside of the thigh, the iliotibial (IT) band — which works in conjunction with the tensor fasciae latae (TFL), a muscle involved in hip flexion and stabilisation — is visible beneath the skin. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 17 June 2026

Also pushed back on chatter that there's been a delay or cancellation to Google's ninth-generation tensor processing unit (TPU), which is co-designed with Broadcom. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 June 2026

Google decided to tap Intel to make some of its tensor processing units — TPUs for short — after months of testing the chipmaker’s technology, the Information said Monday, citing two unnamed sources. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 June 2026

That positioning moves it closer to Google, which pairs Gemini with its custom tensor processing units, and Amazon, which pairs Nova models with Trainium silicon. — Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Latin tendere "to extend outward, stretch, draw tight" + -tor, agent suffix — more at tender entry 3

First Known Use

circa 1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tensor

• censer
• censor
• denser
• fencer
• sensor
• biosensor
• condenser
• dispenser
• extensor

Kids Definition

tensor

noun

ten·​sor ˈten(t)-sər  ˈten-ˌsȯ(ə)r 

: a muscle that stretches a part

Medical Definition

tensor

noun

ten·​sor ˈten(t)-sər  ˈten-ˌsȯ(ə)r 

: a muscle that stretches a part or makes it tense

called also tensor muscle