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

Across the country, fear and tension about environmental threats were boiling beneath the surface.

From Salon

Across the country, fear and tension about environmental threats were boiling beneath the surface.

From Salon

But then the rough thing is that when you are put under tension or conflict, stuff starts to surface.

From Los Angeles Times

"We finally hooked up, even though it was tension conditions in the beginning," Jones said at the event.

From BBC

It took some of the tension of uncertainty and trying to bridge between privacy and secretiveness.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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