prestress

1 of 2

verb

pre·​stress (ˌ)prē-ˈstres How to pronounce prestress (audio)
prestressed; prestressing; prestresses

transitive verb

: to introduce internal stresses into (something, such as a structural beam) to counteract the stresses that will result from applied load (as in incorporating cables under tension in concrete)

prestress

2 of 2

noun

pre·​stress ˈprē-ˌstres How to pronounce prestress (audio)
ˌprē-ˈstres
1
: the stresses introduced in prestressing
2
: the process of prestressing
3
: the condition of being prestressed

Examples of prestress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
According to its website, Spancrete produces precast, prestressed concrete products that are used in commercial, industrial, institutional, residential and multifamily construction projects in the Midwest and Southeast. Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2019 A start-up ecosystem An anchor of this district is the Halle Freyssinet — a gargantuan railway yard built by the engineer (Eugène Freyssinet) who pioneered the use of prestressed concrete. The Washington Post, The Denver Post, 5 Jan. 2017
Noun
Acute Stress Most of the time, the body can handle acute stress just fine and revert to its normal prestress state. Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 22 July 2024 Markham puts the Boring brick up against a new red clay brick, a used red clay brick, a cinderblock-style brick with what look like prestress wires through the middle, and a plain cinderblock brick. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 8 Oct. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1934, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prestress was in 1934

Dictionary Entries Near prestress

Cite this Entry

“Prestress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prestress. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!