strain

strain [streɪn]

1.[NOUN] [oft under N, N on n] If strain is put on an organization or system, it has to do more than it is able to do.
¶ The prison service is already under considerable strain
¶ The vast expansion in secondary education is putting an enormous strain on the system.
= pressure

2.[NOUN] [also N in pl] Strain is a state of worry and tension caused by a difficult situation.
¶ She was tired and under great strain.
¶ the stresses and strains of a busy and demanding career.
= stress

3.[NOUN] [a N] If you say that a situation is a strain, you mean that it makes you worried and tense.
¶ I sometimes find it a strain to be responsible for the mortgage.

4.[NOUN] Strain is a force that pushes, pulls, or stretches something in a way that may damage it.
¶ Place your hands under your buttocks to take some of the strain off your back

5.[NOUN] [usu n N] Strain is an injury to a muscle in your body, caused by using the muscle too much or twisting it.
¶ Avoid muscle strain by warming up with slow jogging.

6.[NOUN] [with supp] You can use strain to refer to a particular quality in someone's character, remarks, or work.
¶ There was a strain of bitterness in his voice.
¶ this cynical strain in the book.

7.[NOUN] [usu N of n] A strain of a germ, plant, or other organism is a particular type of it.
¶ Every year new strains of influenza develop.

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1.[VERB] To strain something means to make it do more than it is able to do.
¶ The volume of scheduled flights is straining the air traffic control system
= stretch

2.[VERB] If you strain a muscle, you injure it by using it too much or twisting it.
¶ He strained his back during a practice session.

3.[VERB] If you strain to do something, you make a great effort to do it when it is difficult to do.
¶ I had to strain to hear
¶ They strained their eyes, but saw nothing.

4.[VERB] When you strain food, you separate the liquid part of it from the solid parts.
¶ Strain the stock and put it back into the pan.