verb B1 Intermediate Common

strain

strayn

Strain (verb) means to injure a muscle or tendon by overstretching or overusing it. Example: “He strained his back lifting the sofa.”

verb

To injure a muscle or tendon by overstretching or overusing it.

"He strained his back lifting the sofa."

"Reading in dim light can strain your eyes."

To make a great, often exhausting effort.

"She strained to hear the whispered conversation next door."

To pass a liquid through a sieve or strainer to remove solids.

"Strain the pasta before adding the sauce."

noun

Physical or mental pressure, tension, or exhaustion.

"The long hours put a lot of strain on the whole team."

"You could hear the strain in his voice."

A particular variety of a virus, bacterium, or other organism.

"Scientists identified a new strain of the flu virus."

How to use strain

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPutting pressure or stress on something (a muscle, a relationship, a budget), or filtering liquid, or a specific genetic variety of a germ.

Common pairings

strain a muscle under strain a new strain of virus strain to hear

Word forms

strained past tense, strained past tense, strains plural, strains plural, Strains plural, strains singular, strains singular

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Can you complete this real example?

He _____ his back lifting the sofa.

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."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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pull wrench overexert struggle exert strive

Related words

power try battle effort attempt influence conflict pull

Rhymes for strain

ain rain pain lain gain main vain fain bain Iain Jain Cain

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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'.

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power try battle effort attempt influence conflict pull