tension

[ ten-shuhn ]

/ ˈtɛn ʃən /

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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.

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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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tension in a sentence

Proving impossibility in this way requires stepping back and seeing how different mathematical rules — like the polygon angle sum formula and the definition of a convex polygon — exist in tension.
Some Math Problems Seem Impossible. That Can Be a Good Thing.|Patrick Honner|November 18, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Geopolitical tensions have affected the development process due to growing hostility toward Beijing from some countries over a range of issues like trade and the pandemic’s origins.
A leading Chinese COVID vaccine resumes trials after brief pause|Claire Zillman, reporter|November 12, 2020|Fortune
That’s more immersive, and it also builds that tension and excitement amongst users as well.
MTV partners with Unrd to create a mobile version of ‘Ghosted: Love Gone Missing’|Anthony Ha|November 11, 2020|TechCrunch
Similar tensions already appear to be building regarding forthcoming missions to the moon and the asteroid belt.
The International Space Station Is Ailing. Its Replacement Will Shape the Future of Space Exploration|Edd Gent|November 9, 2020|Singularity Hub

Political tension vibrates in advance of the coming election.
‘When terrible things happen, our numbers go up’: How NYT Cooking is approaching the pandemic, politics and inclusion|Steven Perlberg|November 2, 2020|Digiday
In other words, combine a small bending moment with a considerable tensional stress.
On Laboratory Arts|Richard Threlfall
The Tensional Strength of timber for safety may be taken at 2000 lbs.
Instructions on Modern American Bridge Building|G. B. N. Tower

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

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 related to tension

How to use tension in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tension

Derived forms of tension

Word Origin for tension

Scientific definitions for tension