ten·sion
ˈten(t)-shən 
1
a
: inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion
b
: a state of latent hostility or opposition between individuals or groups
c
: a balance maintained in an artistic work between opposing forces or elements
2
a
: the act or action of stretching or the condition or degree of being stretched to stiffness : tautness
b
3
a
: either of two balancing forces causing or tending to cause extension
b
: the stress resulting from the elongation of an elastic body
4
: a device to produce a desired tension (as in a loom)
tensioned; tensioning
ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)niŋ
: to subject to tension
especially
: to tighten to a desired or appropriate degree
Examples of tension in a Sentence
Noun
You can see she is just filled with tension about her job.
The dramatic tension was very satisfying.
The author resolves the tension too soon.
Political tensions in the region make it unstable.
Do you sense the tension between those two?
There was a lot of tension at the meeting.
The book describes the tension-filled days before the war.
He felt a tension between duty and love.
There will always be some tension between the desire to reduce risk and the desire to make as much money as possible.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 June 2025
Nippon Yusen's policy, which comes as part of a precautionary measure following the escalation of Isreal-Iran tensions since June 13, means ships are asked to pause for a day or a couple of days when there is flexibility in the shipping schedule, S&P Global Commodity Insights reported on Monday.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Daphne Psaledakis, USA Today, 11 May 2025
In terms of speech, this means the neurons needed to convert the desire to say a word into the muscle activity needed to control the mouth and tongue, expel sufficient breath, and tension the vocal cords.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 20 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for tension
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Noun
These emotional tensions can cloud a parent's judgment.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 June 2025
Nippon Yusen's policy, which comes as part of a precautionary measure following the escalation of Isreal-Iran tensions since June 13, means ships are asked to pause for a day or a couple of days when there is flexibility in the shipping schedule, S&P Global Commodity Insights reported on Monday.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Verb
Iran tensions Britain's maritime agency warned on June 11 that increased tensions in the Middle East may lead to an escalation in military activity that could impact shipping in critical waterways.
—Daphne Psaledakis, USA Today, 11 May 2025
In terms of speech, this means the neurons needed to convert the desire to say a word into the muscle activity needed to control the mouth and tongue, expel sufficient breath, and tension the vocal cords.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 20 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for tension
Cite this Entry
“Tension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tension. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tension
noun
ten·sion
ˈten-chən
1
a
: the act or action of stretching or the condition or degree of being stretched to stiffness
muscular tension
b
2
a
: either of two balancing forces causing or tending to cause extension
b
: the stress resulting from the elongation of an elastic body
3
: inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion
4
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