tensile

[ ten-suhl, -silor, especially British, -sahyl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to tension:

   tensile strain.

2. capable of being stretched or drawn out; ductile.

tensile

/ ˈtɛnsaɪl; tɛnˈsɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to tension
2. sufficiently ductile to be stretched or drawn out

Derived Forms

• ˈtensilely, adverb
• tensility, noun

Other Words From

• ten·sil·i·ty [ten-, sil, -i-tee], tensile·ness noun
• tensile·ly adverb
• non·tensile adjective
• nonten·sili·ty noun
• un·tensile adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tensile¹

From the New Latin word tēnsilis, dating back to 1620–30. See tense ¹, -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of tensile¹

C17: from New Latin tensilis, from Latin tendere to stretch

Example Sentences

Since its discovery in 2004, the material -- a single layer of carbon atoms -- has been touted for its host of unique properties, which include ultra-high electrical conductivity and remarkable tensile strength.

From Science Daily

"This is great because the addition of spores pushes the mechanical properties beyond known limitations where there was previously a trade off between tensile strength and stretchability."

From Science Daily

Though not reported in the paper, he also 3D-printed resin replicas of saber teeth and tested their bending strength and stiffness on a machine designed to measure tensile strength.

From Science Daily

The researchers tested a number of factors , including the interfacial toughness of the adhesive , adhesion stability, and its shear and tensile strength.

From Science Daily

He and his team examined these materials in tensile tests -- used to determine strength -- and other measures.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• malleable
• soft