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
His remarks come amid a rise in tensions between Iran and the United States, which withdrew last year from a 2015 nuclear deal that Tehran struck with world powers. — Erin Cunningham, Washington Post, "Iran’s Zarif says he was sanctioned after declining an invitation to the White House," 5 Aug. 2019 The Justice Department then reviews the IG’s report, mindful of two imperatives that are in tension. — Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, "The DOJ Will Not Prosecute James Comey over Trump Memos," 3 Aug. 2019 The contract limbo is definitely a factor in this week's tensions. — Brian Stelter, CNN, "Turmoil inside the L.A. Times as weak digital subscription numbers spark all-staff meeting," 2 Aug. 2019 Last month, amid a rapid-fire escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, received an unexpected invitation—to meet President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. — Robin Wright, The New Yorker, "Iran’s Foreign Minister Invited to Meet Trump in the Oval Office," 2 Aug. 2019 Every other Clipper will be responsible for finding their own fit in the tension between them. — Rob Mahoney, SI.com, "How Should the Clippers' Role Players Orbit Around Their Two New Stars?," 2 Aug. 2019 Investors play defense The re-escalation in tensions between the world's largest economies is raising worries about a global recession. — CBS News, "Stocks swoon to their worst week of the year," 2 Aug. 2019 One reason the tension was high is that the Democratic National Committee is doubling its polling and fundraising thresholds for candidates to take part in the fall debates. — Melanie Eversley, Fortune, "Democrats Spar Over Health Care, Race, and Gun Violence in High-Energy Debate," 31 July 2019 But when tensions are high and the public is scared a recession is around the corner, a little theater can be therapeutic. — Allison Schrager, Quartz, "The Fed finally cut rates. Will anyone notice?," 31 July 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
ten·sion
|