strait

American  

[streyt] / streɪt /

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) Often straits. a narrow passage of water connecting two large bodies of water.

2. Often straits. a position of difficulty, distress, or need.

   Ill and penniless, he was in sad straits indeed.

   Synonyms:

   plight, predicament, dilemma, pinch, exigency

   Antonyms:

   ease

3. Archaic. a narrow passage or area.

4. an isthmus.

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adjective

Archaic.

1. narrow.

   Strait is the gate.

2. affording little space; confined in area.

3. strict, as in requirements or principles.

strait British  

/ streɪt /

noun

1. (often plural)

   1. a narrow channel of the sea linking two larger areas of sea

   2. ( capital as part of a name )

      the Strait of Gibraltar

2. (often plural) a position of acute difficulty (often in the phrase in dire or desperate straits )

3. archaic a narrow place or passage

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adjective

1. (of spaces, etc) affording little room

2. (of circumstances, etc) limiting or difficult

3. severe, strict, or scrupulous

strait Scientific  

/ strāt /

1. A narrow waterway joining two larger bodies of water. The Strait of Gibraltar, for example, connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean.

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Related Words

See emergency.

Other Word Forms

• straitly adverb
• straitness noun

Etymology

Origin of strait

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English streit “narrow, a strait,” from Old French estreit “narrow, tight,” from Latin strictus, past participle of stringere “to tighten, bind”; strain ¹

Example Sentences

South Korea welcomed the ceasefire and hoped it would bring about the safe passage of all vessels, including its own, through the Hormuz strait.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Iran said it had achieved its war aims and signaled its intent to continue control over the strait, the world’s most important energy-shipping lane.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

While Iran is now allowing Indian vessels to pass, the situation is still uncertain and several ships are waiting near the strait to get through.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Christopher pointed to a buildup of specialized U.S. military forces in the Middle East that could potentially help secure the areas around the strait as part of his team’s thinking.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

The old man had spoken about signs and omens, and, as the boy was crossing the strait, he had thought about omens.

From "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

Related Words

• predicament