1
2
3
strained; straining; strains
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
4
5
: to stretch beyond a proper limit
that story strains my credulity
6
obsolete
: to squeeze out : extort
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
1
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
Synonyms
Examples of strain in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
The gains, however, have not been without some economic strains.
—Jeanne Whalen, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Working at a desk all day can put a lot of strain on your body, especially the lower back.
—Danielle Zoellner, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024
Or are those down pillows aggravating your neck strain?
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
The sativa strain of cannibas is helpful for creativity, and is associated with a head high.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
But the journey has been long and not without financial strain on the family of four.
—Anna Rabemanantsoa, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2024
The first cases of this H5N1 bird flu strain emerged in North America among wild migratory birds in late 2021 and soon spread to poultry farms.
—Will Stone, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
Officials from hospitals and community clinics in the state see expansion as a potential lifeline for rural providers under financial strain.
—Noah Weiland, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
And even if somebody did strain their eyes, the effects could be temporary.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024
In addition to Messi’s status being up in the air, Miami will be missing Robert Taylor, who strained a hamstring and is expected to miss 10 days.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Method: Combine all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously then strain into a martini glass.
—Jillian Dara, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Some of the crucial layers of redundancies that are supposed to ensure that Boeing’s planes are safe appear to be strained, the people said.
—Santul Nerkar, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The new proceedings filed this year will likely strain an already fraught and under-resourced legal system which doesn’t have enough judges to resolve all cases in a timely manner.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
However, a massive leap in enrollment from just under 273,000 two years ago has financially strained the state insurer.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Juice from blended and strained cucumber and honeydew melon is mixed with a floral gin and served with ice.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Certainly, the Sino-Russian relationship is not without its strains, and existing tensions may be exacerbated as China grows more confident and is tempted to start bossing around the Russians in a more heavy-handed way—something that no ruler in Moscow would take lightly.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
The gains, however, have not been without some economic strains.
—Jeanne Whalen, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Working at a desk all day can put a lot of strain on your body, especially the lower back.
—Danielle Zoellner, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024
Or are those down pillows aggravating your neck strain?
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
The sativa strain of cannibas is helpful for creativity, and is associated with a head high.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
But the journey has been long and not without financial strain on the family of four.
—Anna Rabemanantsoa, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2024
The first cases of this H5N1 bird flu strain emerged in North America among wild migratory birds in late 2021 and soon spread to poultry farms.
—Will Stone, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
Officials from hospitals and community clinics in the state see expansion as a potential lifeline for rural providers under financial strain.
—Noah Weiland, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
If, for example, China decides to make a move in the Taiwan Strait, Russia could simultaneously stage a provocative large-scale military drill in Europe, helping China by straining U.S. capacities to respond.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
And even if somebody did strain their eyes, the effects could be temporary.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024
In addition to Messi’s status being up in the air, Miami will be missing Robert Taylor, who strained a hamstring and is expected to miss 10 days.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Method: Combine all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously then strain into a martini glass.
—Jillian Dara, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Some of the crucial layers of redundancies that are supposed to ensure that Boeing’s planes are safe appear to be strained, the people said.
—Santul Nerkar, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The new proceedings filed this year will likely strain an already fraught and under-resourced legal system which doesn’t have enough judges to resolve all cases in a timely manner.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
However, a massive leap in enrollment from just under 273,000 two years ago has financially strained the state insurer.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Juice from blended and strained cucumber and honeydew melon is mixed with a floral gin and served with ice.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near strain
Cite this Entry
“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strain. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
strain
1 of 3 noun1
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
3
4
: the manner or style of something said or of a course of action or conduct
strain
2 of 3 verb1
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 noun1
: 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
: 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 verb1
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
: to contract the muscles forcefully in attempting to defecate
—often used in the phrase strain at stool
strain
3 of 3 noun
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
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