tension
noun
ten·sion
| \ ˈten(t)-shən
\
\
Definition of tension
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion
b
: a state of latent hostility or opposition between individuals or groups
c
: a balance maintained in an artistic work between opposing forces or elements
2a
: the act or action of stretching or the condition or degree of being stretched to stiffness : tautness
b
: stress sense 1b
3a
: either of two balancing forces causing or tending to cause extension
b
: the stress resulting from the elongation of an elastic body
4
: a device to produce a desired tension (as in a loom)
tension
verb
tensioned;
tensioning\ ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)niŋ
\
\
Definition of tension (Entry 2 of 2)
: to subject to tension
especially
: to tighten to a desired or appropriate degree
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Other Words from tension
Noun
tensional
\ ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
tensionless
\ ˈten(t)-shən-ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Verb
tensioner
\ ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nər
\
noun
\
noun
Examples of tension in a Sentence
Noun
You can see she is just filled with tension about her job. The dramatic tension was very satisfying. The author resolves the tension too soon. Political tensions in the region make it unstable. Do you sense the tension between those two? There was a lot of tension at the meeting. The book describes the tension-filled days before the war. He felt a tension between duty and love. There will always be some tension between the desire to reduce risk and the desire to make as much money as possible.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Many Timorese are worried by tensions in the leadership. — The Economist, "Twenty years after its vote for independence, Timor-Leste looks back," 1 Sep. 2019 Their arrests could further inflame tensions in the city ahead of a 13th consecutive weekend of anti-government protests. — CNN, "Hong Kong: Joshua Wong and other pro-democracy figures arrested ahead of rally," 29 Aug. 2019 These smalltown grievances and tensions in this super-pressurized environment. — Ryan Chapman, Longreads, "‘Nobody in This Book Is Going to Catch a Break’: Téa Obreht on “Inland”," 28 Aug. 2019 But the diplomatic overture quickly soured amid continuing tension in the region and Mr. Trump’s administration imposed sanctions on Mr. Zarif, drawing criticism from Mr. Paul for disrupting diplomacy. — New York Times, "Iranian Official Makes Surprise Appearance on Sidelines of G7 Summit," 25 Aug. 2019 In exchange, Iran would need to fully put in place the 2015 nuclear deal, reduce tensions in the Persian Gulf and open talks. — Darlene Superville, Twin Cities, "Economic storm clouds hovering over Trump and global leaders," 24 Aug. 2019 Doing our best to FORGIVE can and WILL resolve so much tension in any situation. — Natalie Stone, PEOPLE.com, "Larry King's Sons Speak Out About Divorce from Their Mom Shawn: 'We'll Always Be Family'," 23 Aug. 2019 But the task force with Department of Public Safety troopers has created tensions in the community. — Cassandra Jaramillo, Dallas News, "Here are the challenges awaiting DPD Chief U. Renee Hall when she returns," 23 Aug. 2019 The result was that two groups of people came out to protest each other, while the real creators of the protest celebrated the success at amplifying existing tensions in Houston. — Claire Wardle, Scientific American, "Misinformation Has Created a New World Disorder," 20 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The left and right buttons should have individual switches inside the mouse, tensioned to register rapid clicks, and reinforced to withstand more frequent clicks than a normal mouse might. — Jess Grey, WIRED, "The Best Mouse for Every Kind of Gamer," 17 Aug. 2019 Engineers not working on the project have speculated that the cracks may have led to adjusting the post-tensioning cables, which strengthen the concrete against the stress of being pulled, and caused the failure. — Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, "NTSB discloses new details about work performed before FIU bridge collapsed | Miami Herald," 21 Mar. 2018 Robert Accetta, the investigator-in-charge for the NTSB, said crews were applying post-tensioning force, but investigators aren’t sure if that’s what caused the bridge to fall. — Adriana Gomez Licon, Time, "An Engineer Reported Cracks on FIU Bridge 2 Days Before Deadly Collapse. No One Got the Voicemail, Officials Say," 17 Mar. 2018 Robert Accetta, the investigator-in-charge for the NTSB, said crews were applying post-tensioning force, but investigators aren't sure if that's what caused the bridge to fall. — Adriana Gomez Licon And Jennifer Kay, chicagotribune.com, "2 cars, 3 bodies removed from collapsed Miami bridge debris," 17 Mar. 2018 Robert Accetta, the investigator-in-charge for the NTSB, said crews were applying post-tensioning force, but investigators aren't sure if that's what caused the bridge to fall. — Leada Gore, AL.com, "St. Patrick's Day 2018: Best Irish blessings, quotes, inspiration," 17 Mar. 2018 Big Agnes’ marketing material will often reference the Tiger Wall’s trail weight, but this is not a practical weight, since its performance is greatly diminished if the rear corners and vestibules are not tensioned. — Andrew Skurka, Outside Online, "Review: Big Agnes Tiger Wall Tents," 28 June 2018 The rear corners and vestibules must be tensioned to maximize interior volume, vestibule volume, and weather resistance. — Andrew Skurka, Outside Online, "Review: Big Agnes Tiger Wall Tents," 28 June 2018 Engineers not working on the project have speculated that the cracks may have led to adjusting the post-tensioning cables, which strengthen the concrete against the stress of being pulled, and caused the failure. — Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, "NTSB discloses new details about work performed before FIU bridge collapsed | Miami Herald," 21 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tension.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for tension
tension
noun
English Language Learners Definition of tension
: a feeling of nervousness that makes you unable to relax
: a feeling of nervousness, excitement, or fear that is created in a movie, book, etc.
: a state in which people, groups, countries, etc., disagree with and feel anger toward each other
See the full definition for tension in the English Language Learners Dictionary
tension
noun