strain
strayn
Strain (verb) means to injure a muscle or tendon by overstretching or overusing it. Example: “Be careful not to strain your knee when you start running again.”
verb
1
To injure a muscle or tendon by overstretching or overusing it.
"Be careful not to strain your knee when you start running again."
"He strained his back lifting the sofa."
"Reading in dim light can strain your eyes."
2
To make a great, often exhausting effort.
"The students strained to finish the project before the deadline."
"He strained every nerve to reach the top of the hill."
"She strained to hear the whispered conversation next door."
3
To pass a liquid through a sieve or strainer to remove solids.
"Strain the tea into a clean cup so no leaves get in."
"She strained the soup to get rid of the bits of onion."
"Strain the pasta before adding the sauce."
noun
1
Physical or mental pressure, tension, or exhaustion.
"Money worries can cause a lot of strain in a marriage."
"The long hours put a lot of strain on the whole team."
"You could hear the strain in his voice."
2
A particular variety of a virus, bacterium, or other organism.
"This strain of wheat grows well even in very dry soil."
"Doctors said a different strain of the bacteria was causing the problem."
"Scientists identified a new strain of the flu virus."
How to use strain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPutting pressure or stress on something (a muscle, a relationship, a budget), or filtering liquid, or a specific genetic variety of a germ.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
strain a muscle
under strain
a new strain of virus
strain to hear
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like strain.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- strains
- Third person singular
- strains
- Past tense
- strained
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be careful not to _____ your knee when you start running again.
Etymology
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."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for strain
See all rhymes for strain →Frequently asked questions
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'.
