tension

American  

[ten-shuhn] / ˈtɛn ʃən /

noun

• tensions
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• tensions
  plural

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”; see tend ¹) + -iō -ion

Explanation

When things feel so tight they might snap, that's tension. If you buy your girlfriend a vacuum cleaner when she wanted diamonds, you will experience tension. Just before she storms out of the room. The noun tension has its Latin roots in tendere, which means to stretch, and tension occurs when something is stretched either physically or emotionally. Strained relations between countries can cause political tensions to rise. You can add tension to a rubber band by stretching it tight. You can release nervous tension by releasing that tension in the rubber band, when you shoot it at your brother.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tension tensions

On Monday, Andrew Bailey announced his departure as the bureau’s No. 2 official following behind-the-scenes tension with Patel.

From Slate ● Sep. 30, 2026

Investors are also digesting the Xi-Trump summit, which analysts broadly say produced few concrete deliverables but reinforced a phase of detente after years of tension.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Usually, it’s the lack of money that creates tension.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026

This tension between the law and economics helps explain why the same enforcement action can be viewed as both lawful and harsh.

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026

As early as 1947, William’s tension and insomnia again reached a high pitch.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

The final amount will depend on how well they perform in the tasks, regardless of any possible tensions over who is a faithful and who is a traitor.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

Rising oil prices, persistent inflation and seemingly endless U.S.-Iran tensions would seem to support bullion, but climbing Treasury yields and a stronger U.S. dollar are pulling it the other way.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026

While extradition remains unlikely, the convictions could renew diplomatic tensions between Italy and Egypt.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

In the near term, however, rising interest rates, renewed tensions in the Middle East and concerns about excessive investment in artificial intelligence are likely to weigh more heavily on large-caps, the chief strategist says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

They had no tensions, unappeasable longings, no desire to do something to redeem themselves.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Related Words

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