strain

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈstrān 

1

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 (such as a stock, line, or ecotype)

c

: kind, sort

discussions of a lofty strain

2

a

: inherited or inherent character, quality, or disposition

a strain of weakness in the family

b

: trace, streak

a strain of fanaticism

3

a

: tune, air

b

: a passage of verbal or musical expression

c

: a stream or outburst of forceful or impassioned speech

4

a

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

b

: mood, temper

strain

2 of 3

verb

strained; straining; strains

transitive verb

1

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

2

a

: to exert (oneself, one's senses, etc.) 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

3

: to squeeze or clasp tightly: such as

a

: hug

b

: to compress painfully : constrict

4

a

: to cause to pass through a strainer : filter

b

: to remove by straining

strain lumps out of the gravy

5

: to stretch beyond a proper limit

that story strains my credulity

6

obsolete : to squeeze out : extort

intransitive verb

1

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

2

: to pass through or as if through a strainer

the liquid strains readily

3

: to make great difficulty or resistance : balk

strain

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

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

2

: an unusual reach, degree, or intensity : pitch

3

archaic : a strained interpretation of something said or written

Phrases

strain a point

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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• ancestry
• birth
• blood
• bloodline
• breeding
• descent
• extraction
• family tree
• genealogy
• line
• lineage
• origin
• parentage
• pedigree
• stock

Verb

• pull
• rack
• stretch
• wrench

Noun (2)

• pressure
• stress
• tension

Examples of strain in a Sentence

Noun (1)

descended from a strain of Irish seafarers

the strain of an old Irish ballad rose up from the revelers downstairs

detected a strain of panic in her voice when she asked if the substance was poisonous

writes mystery novels of a more sophisticated strain

Verb

I strained my back trying to lift the couch.

Too much computer work strains the eyes.

He strained a muscle in his leg.

His muscles strained under the heavy weight.

Noun (2)

the family's constant moving is putting a real strain on the children

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ten different bourbons using two mash bills and five different yeast strains are made at the distillery. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 May 2024

The debt is a sign borrowers are feeling the strain of rising prices and high interest rates. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 15 May 2024

The current strain of H5N1 circulating the globe originated in 1996, in farmed geese living in China’s Guangdong province. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024

The telescoping handle conveniently extends to 60 inches, preventing you from bending over repeatedly lessening the strain on your back. —Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024

Questions remain about what types (species and strains) of probiotics are most beneficial and the size of those benefits. —Kelly Burch, Health, 12 May 2024

This strain of bird flu has been documented since at least the 1990s. —Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024

Ukrainian drones struck two oil depots and a refinery across Russia in a 24-hour period, including one deep in Russian territory, officials on both sides said Thursday, as Kyiv presses a campaign aimed at hampering the country’s military operations and putting strain on its most important industry. —Constant Méheut, New York Times, 9 May 2024

Lowe has only played 10 games since returning from a right oblique strain suffered during training camp but has hit the ball well with a .314 batting average with one home run and two RBIs. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2024

Verb

This particular strain of K. pneumoniae was making between four and six times the quantity of alcohol that strains of the same bacteria make in healthy people. —Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 4 May 2024

Trending Stories The 10 Best Places to Travel in June The Best Hotels in Amsterdam The system had been strained for years due to defunding of the Washington Department of Transportation and mandatory ship retirements, but worker attrition during the pandemic made things worse. —Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 May 2024

In their place are generic invocations of 21st century feminist and racial-justice fights, plus the occasional dig at the real estate tycoon who became our 45th President, tied precariously together with thin strands of plot that strain believability. —Judy Berman, TIME, 2 May 2024

More on India Bengaluru’s Water Crisis: The Silicon Valley of South Asia did not properly adapt as its soaring population strained traditional water sources. —Mujib Mashal Atul Loke, New York Times, 1 May 2024

The $237 billion state budget passed by the Legislature this month includes no new funding to support guardianship services, despite reporting by ProPublica that showed how the state’s system is in shambles, with authorities straining to ensure proper care of elderly and sick wards. —Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 30 Apr. 2024

The decision, expected as soon as Monday, would mark the first time the U.S. has ever imposed sanctions on a unit inside the Israeli military and further strains relations between the two allies, which have grown increasingly tense during Israel’s war in Gaza. —Josef Federman, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Apr. 2024

That constant vigilance has strained the patience of some poultry farmers. —Linda Qiu, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024

Two more insurers are pulling out of California’s troubled homeowners insurance market, straining a marketplace that already has seen the pullback of several other companies that have cited increase costs related to wildfire risks. —Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Verb

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

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1558, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing strain

• inter-strain
• repetitive strain injury
• strain a point
• strain at the leash
• strain gauge
• strain one's ears
• strain oneself
• strain one's eyes
• strain one's neck
• under (a/the) strain

Kids Definition

strain

1 of 3 noun

ˈstrān 

1

a

: lineage, ancestry

b

: a group of plants or animals that look alike but have characteristics (as the ability to resist disease) that make them slightly different : variety sense 3b

a strong strain of winter wheat

2

a

: a quality or disposition that is natural or runs through a family

a strain of genius in the family

b

: a small amount : trace, streak

a strain of sadness

3

: melody sense 2, tune

4

: the manner or style of something said or of a course of action or conduct

strain

2 of 3 verb

1

a

: to draw tight : cause to clasp firmly

b

: to stretch to maximum extension and tightness

2

a

: to try one's hardest : strive

b

: to injure or be injured by overuse, misuse, or pressure

strained the heart by overwork

strain one's back by lifting

3

a

: to pass or cause to pass through or as if through a strainer : filter

b

: to remove by straining

strain lumps out of the gravy

4

: to stretch beyond a proper limit

strain the truth

strain

3 of 3 noun

1

: an act of straining or the state of being strained

2

: bodily injury caused by too much tension, effort, or use

heart strain

especially : one resulting from a wrench or twist and involving severe stretching of muscles or ligaments

back strain

Medical Definition

strain

1 of 3 noun

ˈstrān 

: a group of presumed common ancestry with clear-cut physiological but usually not morphological distinctions

a highly virulent strain of bacteria

strain

2 of 3 transitive verb

1

a

: to exert (as oneself) to the utmost

b

: to injure by overuse, misuse, or excessive pressure

strained his heart by overwork

c

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

2

: to cause to pass through a strainer

intransitive verb

: to contract the muscles forcefully in attempting to defecate

—often used in the phrase strain at stool

strain

3 of 3 noun

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

a

: excessive physical or mental tension

also : a force, influence, or factor causing such tension

b

: 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

compare sprain

c

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