strand
strand
Strand (noun) means one of the individual threads or wires twisted together to make a rope, cable, or cord. Example: “One strand of the climbing rope had frayed badly.”
noun
1
One of the individual threads or wires twisted together to make a rope, cable, or cord.
"One strand of the climbing rope had frayed badly."
"A single strand of hair got caught in the zip."
"She twisted each strand of wool together to make a thicker cord."
2
A single thread or line within a larger story, plan, or set of events.
"The novel weaves together three separate narrative strands."
"Each strand of the investigation led back to the same small office."
"The documentary follows one strand of the family's history across three generations."
verb
1
To leave someone in a difficult situation, often without transport or resources.
"Heavy snow stranded hundreds of drivers overnight."
"Our train broke down, and we were stranded at a tiny station."
"The missed flight stranded the tourists in a foreign airport with no money."
2
To run a boat or ship aground.
"The tanker was stranded on the reef during the storm."
"The fishing boat was stranded on a sandbank when the tide went out."
"The captain stranded the ship on a beach to save the crew."
How to use strand
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA single thread making up a rope or cable, a thread of a story, or being left stuck somewhere with no way to move on.
Common pairings
a strand of DNA
stranded passengers
a strand of hair
narrative strand
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Word forms
- Plural
- strands
- Third person singular
- strands
- Past tense
- stranded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
One _____ of the climbing rope had frayed badly.
Etymology
From Old English "strand" ("shore"), related to German and Scandinavian words for "beach"; the "thread of rope" sense developed as a separate but similarly old use.
Related words
Rhymes for strand
See all rhymes for strand →Frequently asked questions
What does “strand” mean?
The word “strand” means one of the individual threads or wires twisted together to make a rope, cable, or cord. In plain terms, a single thread making up a rope or cable, a thread of a story, or being left stuck somewhere with no way to move on.
How do you pronounce “strand”?
“Strand” is pronounced strand (/stɹænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “strand” in a sentence?
Here is “strand” used in a sentence: “One strand of the climbing rope had frayed badly.”
What is another word for “strand”?
Words with a similar meaning to “strand” include abandon and desert.
What part of speech is “strand”?
Depending on how it is used, “strand” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “strand” come from?
The word “strand” comes from Old English. From Old English "strand" ("shore"), related to German and Scandinavian words for "beach"; the "thread of rope" sense developed as a separate but similarly old use.
Is “strand” a common word?
“Strand” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “strand” have?
“Strand” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of the individual threads or wires twisted together to make a rope, cable, or cord.
What is the difference between strand and thread?
A strand is one of the individual threads or wires twisted together to make a rope, cable, or cord, and can also refer to a single line within a larger story or plan. Thread more often refers to a fine fiber used in sewing or a topic in a conversation online. Strand emphasizes the twisted, composite structure, such as several strands making up a rope or a plot.
How does strand as a verb differ from its noun meanings?
As a verb, strand means to leave someone in a difficult situation without transport or resources, or to run a boat or ship aground, as in "the ferry was stranded on the rocks." The noun meanings, by contrast, describe a physical thread or a narrative line, showing how the same word covers both concrete objects and figurative situations.
What does it mean to say a plot has multiple strands?
This uses strand's meaning of a single thread or line within a larger story or plan, so a plot with multiple strands has several interwoven storylines or plot elements that develop alongside one another. It is common in reviews of novels, films, and television series with complex narratives.
