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

Some agents who were fired had been photographed kneeling during a 2020 racial justice protest in Washington, D.C. – an action they said they took to defuse tensions with protesters.

From Salon

One possible source of tension may be in international coverage, primarily the war in Gaza, which has been the subject of internal debate in many newsrooms.

From Los Angeles Times

Many fear that widespread weapons, tensions between powerful families and Hamas's grip on power could spiral into scenes resembling civil war in a territory already gripped by displacement, destruction, and fear of further lawlessness.

From BBC

These underlying tensions were just coming into focus.

From Los Angeles Times

It was the first of many episodes of her running away from home, something that brought tensions in her household and worry in her community.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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