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¹strain

noun \ˈstrān\

Definition of STRAIN

a : lineage, ancestry

b : a group of presumed common ancestry with clear-cut physiological but usually not morphological distinctions <a high-yielding strain of winter wheat>; broadly : a specified infraspecific group (as a stock, line, or ecotype)

c : kind, sort <discussions of a lofty strain>

a : inherited or inherent character, quality, or disposition <a strain of madness in the family>

b : trace, streak <a strain of fanaticism>

a : tune, air

b : a passage of verbal or musical expression

c : a stream or outburst of forceful or impassioned speech

a : the tenor, pervading note, burden, or tone of an utterance or of a course of action or conduct

b : mood, temper

Origin of STRAIN

Middle English streen progeny, lineage, from Old English strēon gain, acquisition; akin to Old High German gistriuni gain, Latin struere to heap up — more at strew

First Known Use: 13th century

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with STRAIN

ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne

²strain

verb

: to injure (a body part or muscle) by too much tension, use, or effort

: to try very hard to do or get something

: to be pulled or stretched in a forceful way

Full Definition of STRAIN

transitive verb

a : to draw tight : cause to fit firmly <strain the bandage over the wound>

b : to stretch to maximum extension and tautness <strain a canvas over a frame>

a : to exert (as oneself) to the utmost

b : to injure by overuse, misuse, or excessive pressure <strained his back>

c : to cause a change of form or size in (a body) by application of external force

: to squeeze or clasp tightly: as

a : hug

b : to compress painfully : constrict

a : to cause to pass through a strainer : filter

b : to remove by straining <strain lumps out of the gravy>

: to stretch beyond a proper limit <that story strains my credulity>

obsolete : to squeeze out : extort

intransitive verb

a : to make violent efforts : strive <has to strain to reach the high notes>

b : to pull against resistance <a dog straining at its leash>

c : to contract the muscles forcefully in attempting to defecate —often used in the phrase strain at stool

: to pass through or as if through a strainer <the liquid strains readily>

: to make great difficulty or resistance : balk

— strain a point

: to go beyond a usual, accepted, or proper limit or rule

See strain defined for English-language learners

Origin of STRAIN

Middle English, from Anglo-French estreindre, from Latin stringere to bind or draw tight, press together; akin to Greek strang-, stranx drop squeezed out, strangalē halter

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to STRAIN

Synonyms: pull, rack, stretch, wrench

Antonyms: loosen, slack, slacken

³strain

noun

Definition of STRAIN

: an act of straining or the condition of being strained: as

a : bodily injury from excessive tension, effort, or use <heart strain>; especially : one resulting from a wrench or twist and involving undue stretching of muscles or ligaments <back strain>

b : excessive or difficult exertion or labor

c : excessive physical or mental tension; also : a force, influence, or factor causing such tension <a strain on the marriage>

d : deformation of a material body under the action of applied forces

: an unusual reach, degree, or intensity : pitch

archaic : a strained interpretation of something said or written

First Known Use of STRAIN

1558

STRAIN Defined for Kids

¹strain

noun \ˈstrān\

Definition of STRAIN for Kids

: a group of closely related living things that look similar but possess one or more unique characteristics <Scientists are developing a new strain of wheat.>

: a quality or disposition that runs through a family or group <There's a strain of genius in that family.>

: a small amount : trace <There was a strain of sadness in his voice.>

: melody 2, tune

²strain

verb

strainedstrain·ing

Definition of STRAIN for Kids

: to stretch or be stretched, pulled, or used to the limit <My muscles strained under the load.>

: to stretch beyond a proper limit <The story strains the truth.>

: to try very hard : make a great effort <People in the back strained to hear.>

: to injure or be injured by too much or too hard use or effort <Don't strain your back.>

: to press or pass through a strainer : filter <strain juice>

: to pour off liquid from by using a strainer <Boil and then strain the pasta.>

³strain

noun

Definition of STRAIN for Kids

: great worry and concern or physical effort <Perhaps, the pressures of everyday stress and strain had gotten her down. — E. L. Konigsburg, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler>

: something that causes great worry and concern or physical effort <Running the business was a strain on him.> <The heavy load was a strain on her back.>

: bodily injury resulting from too much use or from a wrench or twist that stretches muscles and ligaments

: a force that pulls or stretches something to its limit : stress