<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>the act of stretching or straining.</li><li>the state of being stretched or strained.</li><li>mental or emotional strain; intense, suppressed suspense, anxiety, or excitement.</li><li>a strained relationship between individuals, groups, nations, etc.</li><li>(not in current use) pressure, especially of a vapor.</li><li>the longitudinal deformation of an elastic body that results in its elongation.</li><li>the force producing such deformation.</li><li>electromotive force; potential.</li><li>a device for stretching or pulling something.</li><li>a device to hold the proper tension on the material being woven in a loom.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) to subject (a cable, belt, tendon, or the like) to tension, especially for a specific purpose.</li></ul>