strain

1 noun

1 WORRY (C, U) worry caused by having to deal with a problem or work too hard over a long period of time: The trial has been a terrible strain for both of us. | put a strain on sb/sth: Nick's frequent trips were putting a strain on their marriage. | be under (a) strain: I know you've been under a lot of strain lately. | stresses and strains (=problems and worries): the stresses and strains of everyday working life

2 DIFFICULTY (C) a problem or difficulty that is caused when something is used more than is normal or acceptable: The drought has put a heavy strain on our water resources.

3 FORCE (U) a force that pulls, stretches or pushes something

(+ on): The strain on the cables supporting the bridge is enormous. | under the strain (=because of the force): The rope snapped under the strain.

4 INJURY (C, U) an injury to a muscle or part of your body caused by using it too much: a back strain

—compare sprain

5 DISTRUST (C, U) a situation in which two people, groups etc have stopped being friendly or trusting each other; tension (2): the current strain in relations between the two countries

6 PLANT/ANIMAL (C) a breed or type of animal, plant etc

(+ of): trying to develop a new strain of wheat

7 the strains of sth literary the sound of music being played

(+ of): the strains of the Blue Danube Waltz

8 QUALITY (singular) a particular quality which people have, especially one that is passed from parents to children

(+ of): There's a strain of madness in his family.

9 take the strain to pull on something such as a rope until it is tight, then keep it in that position

10 WAY OF SAYING STH (singular) formal the meaning of what you are saying or writing, or the way it is expressed: a strain of bitterness in Young's later work

2 verb

1 PART OF BODY (T) to injure a muscle or part of your body by making it work too hard: strain a muscle in your leg | You'll strain your eyes trying to read in this light.

2 EFFORT (I, T) to try very hard to do something using all your physical or mental strength: strain to do sth: The singer had to strain to reach the high notes. | strain for sth: Bill choked and gasped, straining for air. | strain your ears/eyes (=try very hard to hear or see): I strained my ears, listening for any sound in the silence of the cave. | strain yourself (=try too hard): Don't strain yourself! You need to rest more.

3 LIQUID (T) to separate solid things from a liquid by pouring the mixture through something with very small holes in it

4 BEYOND A LIMIT (T) to force something to be used to a degree that is beyond a normal or acceptable limit: The influx of refugees is straining our limited facilities. | strain sth to the limit: I tell you, my patience has been strained to the limit!

5 strain a friendship/relationship etc to behave in a way that causes problems in a friendship etc: Too many arguments about money can strain a relationship.

6 PULL/PUSH (I) to pull hard at something or push hard against something

(+ against): Buddy's huge gut strained against the buttons on his shirt. (+ at): a ship straining at its moorings

7 strain every nerve to try as hard as possible to do something: a comedian straining every nerve to get a laugh

8 straining at the leash eager to be allowed to do what you want: 30,000 troops straining at the leash and the generals locked in indecision