English Meaning & Definitions
The state of being stretched tight; mental or emotional strain; or a relationship between people or groups characterized by hostility or suspense.
- “The high-tension wires hummed as the electricity surged through them.”
- “There was a palpable sense of tension in the room before the negotiations began.”
To apply force to something that stretches it or makes it taut.
- “You must tension the strings of the guitar properly to ensure it stays in tune.”
- “The machine is designed to tension the fabric before it is cut.”
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “tension”.
Derived from the Latin 'tensio', meaning 'a stretching' or 'straining', which comes from the past participle stem of 'tendere', meaning 'to stretch'. It entered Middle English via Old French and has been used in physical, psychological, and mechanical contexts since the 17th century.
Think of a 'tent' being pulled tight; the ropes are under 'tension' to keep the structure standing.
Frequently Asked Questions About “tension”
1. What is the meaning of “tension” in English?
In English, tension (noun) is defined as: “The state of being stretched tight; mental or emotional strain; or a relationship between people or groups characterized by hostility or suspense.”.
2. How do you use “tension” in a sentence?
“The high-tension wires hummed as the electricity surged through them.”
3. What are English synonyms of “tension”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “tension”?
Derived from the Latin 'tensio', meaning 'a stretching' or 'straining', which comes from the past participle stem of 'tendere', meaning 'to stretch'. It entered Middle English via Old French and has been used in physical, psychological, and mechanical contexts since the 17th century.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.