strain

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
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

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

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
Noun
In this study, the team from the Buck Institute made use of 160 strains from the reference panel. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Five different strains are available, and start at around 24% THC and rise to about 30%. Detroit Free Press, 29 Feb. 2024 It’s carefully designed so the blower tube is in line with the handle, which minimizes rotational force to lessen strain on your wrists, arms, shoulders, and back during use. Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2024 Some observers say authorities will probably limit punishment to strike leaders for fear of a further strain on hospital operations. Hyung-Jin Kim and Jiwon Song, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024 People infected with that flu strain were at much higher risk of later developing Parkinson’s. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024 The emotional strain on firefighters and EMTs has grown so great that city officials have applied for a state grant that would bring in additional mental health resources for front-line workers. Nick Duffy, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2024 Those two owls, a female from the Living Coast Discovery Center and male from the Safari Park, had both been hatched in captivity as the local conservation breeding program was halted due to an outbreak of a highly contagious strain of avian flu. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024 Some recommendations will specify the strain or the strain nickname. Shushy Rita Setrakian Ms, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2024
Verb
An ‘adversarial’ relationship Already strained relations between the U.N. and Israel deteriorated significantly after Israel levied explosive allegations in January that a dozen UNRWA employees were involved in the attacks on Oct. 7. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Occasionally, this fervent dot-connecting grows strained, as in a chapter that intersects the Voice with graffiti culture, breakdancing, and the emergence of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Michelle Orange, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 Car loans also strain your balance sheet, because cars depreciate quickly. Michael Cannivet, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Greek yogurt is just regular yogurt that’s been strained to remove the whey or liquid. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024 Davis woke up Thursday morning in San Francisco and found that his voice had escaped out of town, forcing him to strain to whisper. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 One thing that will strain their bond is figuring out the best way to help the cause from within the prison camp. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024 But the conflict is testing the strength of the economy and straining government finances. Hanna Ziady, CNN, 19 Feb. 2024 Trust has already been compromised, and recording conversations may further strain the situation. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 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.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of strain was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near strain

Cite this Entry

“Strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strain. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

strain

1 of 3 noun
1
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
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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on strain

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