tension

[ ten-shuhn ]

/ ˈtɛn ʃən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: tension / tensions on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of stretching or straining.

the state of being stretched or strained.

mental or emotional strain; intense, suppressed suspense, anxiety, or excitement.

a strained relationship between individuals, groups, nations, etc.

(not in current use) pressure, especially of a vapor.

Mechanics.

the longitudinal deformation of an elastic body that results in its elongation.
the force producing such deformation.

Electricity. electromotive force; potential.

Machinery. a device for stretching or pulling something.

a device to hold the proper tension on the material being woven in a loom.

verb (used with object)

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

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of tension

1525–35; <Latin tēnsiōn- (stem of tēnsiō) a stretching. See tense¹, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM tension

ten·sion·al, adjectiveten·sion·less, adjectiveo·ver·ten·sion, nounsu·per·ten·sion, noun

Words nearby tension

tensile, tensile strength, tensile stress, tensimeter, tensiometer, tension, tension cavity, tension curve, tension headache, tension suture, tensity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use tension in a sentence

Yes, cops are under stress and tension (though their jobs are far less dangerous than normally supposed).
We Need Our Police to Be Better Than This|Nick Gillespie|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But still the Middle East conflict does cause tension between many in these two communities.
Muslims & Jews Unite vs. Abercrombie & Fitch|Dean Obeidallah|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“This tension was not well received at the Vatican,” according to Tosatti.
Is The Pope Unprotected Now That He’s Fired the Head of the Swiss Guards?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That's a step forward from the tension of the past two years.
Beijing’s ‘Star Trek’ APEC Summit|Jake Adelstein|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The increasing tension between Obama's team and Bibi's reflects this basic divergence in interests.
Why’s Al Qaeda So Strong? Washington Has (Literally) No idea|Bruce Riedel|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The controlling leaders being out of gear the machine did not run smoothly: there was nothing but friction and tension.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
It depends upon the fact that bile acids lower surface tension.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
During so long drawn out a suspense I tried to ease the tension by dictation.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Thus the tension which serves to start the movement is intense, though the masses involved are not very great.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
Throughout the country-side, wherever the echo of the wail was heard, a tension fell upon everything.
Kari the Elephant|Dhan Gopal Mukerji

British Dictionary definitions for tension

tension

/ (ˈtɛnʃən) /

noun

the act of stretching or the state or degree of being stretched

mental or emotional strain; stress

a situation or condition of hostility, suspense, or uneasiness

physics a force that tends to produce an elongation of a body or structure

physics

voltage, electromotive force, or potential difference
(in combination)high-tension; low-tension

a device for regulating the tension in a part, string, thread, etc, as in a sewing machine

knitting the degree of tightness or looseness with which a person knits

Derived forms of tension

tensional, adjectivetensionless, adjective

Word Origin for tension

C16: from Latin tensiō, from tendere to strain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for tension

tension

[ tĕn′shən ]

The act or process of stretching something tight.

The condition of so being stretched.

A force tending to stretch or elongate something.

The partial pressure of a gas, especially dissolved in a liquid such as blood.

Mental, emotional, or nervous strain.

Barely controlled hostility or a strained relationship between people or groups.

Scientific definitions for tension

tension

[ tĕn′shən ]

A force that tends to stretch or elongate something.

An electrical potential (voltage), especially as measured in electrical components such as transformers or power lines involved in the transmission of electrical power.

tension

Origin of tension

OTHER WORDS FROM tension

Words nearby tension

Words related to tension

How to use tension in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tension

Derived forms of tension

Word Origin for tension

Medical definitions for tension

Scientific definitions for tension