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 )

      high-tension

      low-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

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.

Other Word Forms

• tensional adjective
• tensionless adjective
• overtension noun
• supertension 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

Speaking to reporters on Thursday at a meeting of the International Monetary Fund, Chancellor Rachel Reeves was asked about growing tension between the US and China over rare earths.

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In recent weeks, tensions have escalated between the EU and Russia, after Poland and Romania - both Nato members - said Russian drones had breached their airspace.

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Netherlands-based Nexperia has found itself at the centre of a tug-of-war between China and the Netherlands over semiconductors, an increasing source of global geopolitical tension.

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Stocks rose Thursday as signs of continued solid demand for artificial-intelligence products and solid corporate earnings allowed investors to look past escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China.

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Shares took off because China threatened export restrictions on rare-earth minerals and lithium-ion batteries as trade tensions with the U.S. ratcheted higher.

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Related Words

• anxiety 
• apprehension 
• concern 
• discomfort 
• hostility 
• jitters www.thesaurus.com
• nervousness 
• pressure 
• strain 
• suspense 
• unease 
• worry