tensile
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to tension.
tensile strain.
-
capable of being stretched or drawn out; ductile.
adjective
-
of or relating to tension
-
sufficiently ductile to be stretched or drawn out
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tensile
From the New Latin word tēnsilis, dating back to 1620–30. See tense 1, -ile
Explanation
Use the adjective tensile to describe materials that can be shaped, such as the tensile clay that a potter crafts into a bowl or vase. Tensile rhymes with "pencil." It might remind you of the word tense, and in fact, tensile can also mean "having to do with tension." Think about a tensile material, like wire. It will stretch and stretch until it reaches its limit. Drawn tight, with no slack, the wire has tensile stress.
Vocabulary lists containing tensile
The ACT Science Test: Physics Review
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Physical Science: Physical Laws, Work, and Motion
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Wow, she was gorgeous,” said Mr. Han, 30, now a senior analyst at Tensile Capital, an investment firm based in Larkspur, Calif.
From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2021
Tensile strands of feminist and environmentalist activism run through her programme, not least the timely focus on Pussy Riot, two of whom still languish in Russian detention camps.
From The Guardian • Jun. 22, 2013
I also show you specimens of cold bending: Tensile Tons.
From Scientific American Supplement, No. 717, September 28, 1889 by Various
Tensile strength not less than 65,000 lbs. to square in.
Sheet No. 1 shows you some particulars of these tests: Tensile Tons.
From Scientific American Supplement, No. 717, September 28, 1889 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
