tension
TEHNSHN
Tension (noun) means a feeling of unease, stress, or unresolved conflict between people. Example: “You could feel the tension in the room when the two rivals walked in.”
noun
1
A feeling of unease, stress, or unresolved conflict between people.
"You could feel the tension in the room when the two rivals walked in."
"Tension grew between the neighbours over who should pay for the shared fence."
"There was noticeable tension between the two departments after the merger."
2
The physical pulling force in something stretched tight, like a rope or cable.
"The tension in the washing line made it hum in the wind."
"Too much tension can snap the cable, so loosen it slightly."
"Adjust the tension on the guitar string until it's in tune."
How to use tension
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither emotional strain between people, or a physical stretching force.
Common pairings
ease the tension
under tension
sexual tension
rising tension
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Word forms
- Plural
- tensions
- Third person singular
- tensions
- Past tense
- tensioned
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You could feel the _____ in the room when the two rivals walked in.
Etymology
From Latin tensio, from tendere ("to stretch"), borrowed into English via Middle French tension.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tension
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for tension →
Frequently asked questions
What does “tension” mean?
The word “tension” means a feeling of unease, stress, or unresolved conflict between people. In plain terms, either emotional strain between people, or a physical stretching force.
How do you pronounce “tension”?
“Tension” is pronounced TEHNSHN (/ˈtɛnʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “tension” in a sentence?
Here is “tension” used in a sentence: “There was noticeable tension between the two departments after the merger.”
What part of speech is “tension”?
“Tension” is a noun.
Where does the word “tension” come from?
The word “tension” comes from Latin. From Latin tensio, from tendere ("to stretch"), borrowed into English via Middle French tension.
Is “tension” a common word?
“Tension” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “tension” have?
“Tension” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling of unease, stress, or unresolved conflict between people.
What is the difference between 'tension' and 'stress'?
Emotionally, 'tension' describes a feeling of unease or unresolved conflict, often between people, whereas 'stress' is the strain a person feels under pressure. Physically, 'tension' is specifically the pulling force in something stretched tight, while 'stress' is a more general term for internal force within a material.
What is the difference between 'tension' and 'compression'?
In the physical sense, 'tension' is the pulling force that stretches something tight, like a rope or cable being pulled from both ends. 'Compression' is the opposite: a pushing or squeezing force that shortens or presses a material together.
What words commonly go with 'tension'?
In the emotional sense, 'tension' often appears in phrases like 'rising tension', 'ease the tension', and 'tension between them'. In the physical sense, it pairs with words such as 'tension in the cable' or 'high tension', referring to a tight pulling force.
Is 'tension' a countable or uncountable noun?
'Tension' is usually uncountable when describing a general mood, as in 'there was tension in the room'. It can be countable when referring to distinct strains or conflicts, as in 'the tensions between the two groups grew'.
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