tension

American  

[ten-shuhn] / ˈtɛn ʃən /

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.

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verb (used with object)

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

tension British  

/ 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

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tension Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• overtension noun
• supertension noun
• tensional adjective
• tensionless adjective

Etymology

Origin of tension

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

Example Sentences

The fear of fresh hostilities may sound familiar, given that U.S.-Iran tensions have escalated many times in the past, particularly during the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

From MarketWatch

The fear of fresh hostilities may sound familiar, given that U.S.-Iran tensions have escalated many times in the past, particularly during the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

From MarketWatch

Global air-cargo demand remained resilient last year, despite increased trade tensions and policy uncertainty.

From The Wall Street Journal

As tensions simmered in Washington, allies in Europe moved quickly to show support for Greenland.

From BBC

Gold and silver futures both hit new highs, boosted by geopolitical tensions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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