tension

[ ten-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of stretching or straining.
2. the state of being stretched or strained.
3. mental or emotional strain; intense, suppressed suspense, anxiety, or excitement.
4. a strained relationship between individuals, groups, nations, etc.
5. (not in current use) pressure, especially of a vapor.
6. Mechanics.
   1. the longitudinal deformation of an elastic body that results in its elongation.
   2. the force producing such deformation.
7. Electricity. electromotive force; potential.
8. Machinery. a device for stretching or pulling something.
9. a device to hold the proper tension on the material being woven in a loom.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject (a cable, belt, tendon, or the like) to tension, especially for a specific purpose.

tension

/ ˈtɛnʃən /

noun

1. the act of stretching or the state or degree of being stretched
2. mental or emotional strain; stress
3. a situation or condition of hostility, suspense, or uneasiness
4. physics a force that tends to produce an elongation of a body or structure
5. physics
   1. voltage, electromotive force, or potential difference
   2. ( in combination )

      low-tension

      high-tension

6. a device for regulating the tension in a part, string, thread, etc, as in a sewing machine
7. knitting the degree of tightness or looseness with which a person knits

tension

/ tĕn′shən /

1. A force that tends to stretch or elongate something.
2. An electrical potential (voltage), especially as measured in electrical components such as transformers or power lines involved in the transmission of electrical power.

Derived Forms

• ˈtensionless, adjective
• ˈtensional, adjective

Other Words From

• tension·al adjective
• tension·less adjective
• over·tension noun
• super·tension noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tension¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin tēnsiōn-, stem of tēnsiō, “a stretching,” equivalent to tēns(us) “stretched” (past participle of tendere “to stretch, extend, proceed”; tend ¹ ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of tension¹

C16: from Latin tensiō, from tendere to strain

Example Sentences

But questions remain about how the Lebanese troops would operate against Hezbollah, which is heavily armed and backed by Iran, amid fears this could exacerbate sectarian tensions.

From BBC

Maxwell Min, the projects co-ordinator for the Frank Soo Foundation, which celebrates the life of the first non-white player to play for England in 1945, explains why he thinks there is a tension.

From BBC

Stress can cause muscle tension, headaches, sleep problems and loss of appetite.

From Los Angeles Times

“Every spoke matters and needs to be in appropriate tension,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

The very short headline set was pretty typical Carti–ripping live metal guitars, frantic redlined vocals and a scrum of new cuts like “Ketamine” that seethed with tension and circle-pit chaos.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anxiety
• apprehension
• concern
• discomfort
• hostility
• jitters
• nervousness
• pressure
• strain
• suspense
• unease
• worry