What does “strain” mean?
The word “strain” means to injure a muscle or tendon by overstretching or overusing it. In plain terms, putting pressure or stress on something (a muscle, a relationship, a budget), or filtering liquid, or a specific genetic variety of a germ.
How do you pronounce “strain”?
“Strain” is pronounced strayn (/stɹeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “strain” in a sentence?
Here is “strain” used in a sentence: “He strained his back lifting the sofa.”
What part of speech is “strain”?
Depending on how it is used, “strain” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “strain” come from?
The word “strain” comes from Latin. The verb traces to Old French "estraindre" ("to bind tightly"), from Latin "stringere"; the "lineage/variety" noun sense comes from a separate Old English root meaning "gain" or "stock.".
Is “strain” a common word?
“Strain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “strain” have?
“Strain” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to injure a muscle or tendon by overstretching or overusing it.
What is the difference between a strain and a sprain?
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching or overusing it. A sprain, by contrast, is an injury to a ligament, the tissue that connects bones at a joint.
What is the difference between 'strain' and 'stress'?
In everyday use both can mean pressure, but 'strain' often refers to the effect of that pressure on a body, material, or relationship, while 'stress' more often refers to the force or demand being applied. You feel strain as a result of the stress placed on you.
What words commonly go with 'strain'?
Common collocations include 'strain a muscle', 'strain your eyes', and 'strain to reach'. Figuratively, people also speak of putting a 'strain on a relationship' or being 'under strain'.
