to draw tight or taut, esp. to the utmost tension; stretch to the full

to strain a rope.

to exert to the utmost

to strain one's ears to catch a sound.

to impair, injure, or weaken (a muscle, tendon, etc.) by stretching or overexertion.

to cause mechanical deformation in (a body or structure) as the result of stress.

to stretch beyond the proper point or limit

to strain the meaning of a word.

to make excessive demands upon

to strain one's luck; to strain one's resources.

to pour (liquid containing solid matter) through a filter, sieve, or the like in order to hold back the denser solid constituents

to strain gravy.

to draw off (clear or pure liquid) by means of a filter or sieve

to strain the water from spinach; to strain broth.

to hold back (solid particles) from liquid matter by means of a filter or sieve

to strain seeds from orange juice; to strain rice.

to clasp tightly in the arms, the hand, etc.

The mother strained her child close to her breast.

Obsolete . to constrain, as to a course of action.

to pull forcibly

a dog straining at a leash.

to stretch one's muscles, nerves, etc., to the utmost.

to make violent physical efforts; strive hard.

to resist forcefully; balk

to strain at accepting an unpleasant fact.

to be subjected to tension or stress; suffer strain.

to filter, percolate, or ooze.

to trickle or flow

Sap strained from the bark.

any force or pressure tending to alter shape, cause a fracture, etc.

strong muscular or physical effort.

great or excessive effort or striving after some goal, object, or effect.

an injury to a muscle, tendon, etc., due to excessive tension or use; sprain.

Mechanics, Physics . deformation of a body or structure as a result of an applied force.

condition of being strained or stretched.

a task, goal, or effect accomplished only with great effort

Housecleaning is a real strain.

severe, trying, or fatiguing pressure or exertion; taxing onus

the strain of hard work.

a severe demand on or test of resources, feelings, a person, etc.

a strain on one's hospitality.

a flow or burst of language, eloquence, etc.

the lofty strain of Cicero.

Often, strains. a passage of melody, music, or songs as rendered or heard

the strains of the nightingale.

Music . a section of a piece of music, more or less complete in itself.

a passage or piece of poetry.

the tone, style, or spirit of an utterance, writing, etc.

a humorous strain.

a particular degree, height, or pitch attained

a strain of courageous enthusiasm.

noun

health , wellness

verb

compress , concentrate , idle , laze , rest , calm , placate , soothe

noun

ache , anxiety , bruise , brunt , burden , constriction , effort , endeavor , exertion , force , injury , jerk , pressure , pull , sprain , stress , stretch , struggle , tautness , tension , tensity , twist , wrenchnotes:a sprain involves one or more ligaments; a strain involves a tendon or muscle , blood , breed , descent , extraction , family , lineage , pedigree , race , species , stocknotes:a sprain involves one or more ligaments; a strain involves a tendon or muscle , humor , manner , mind , shade , soupon , spirit , streak , style , suspicion , temper , tendency , tinge , tone , touch , trace , trait , vein , waynotes:a sprain involves one or more ligaments; a strain involves a tendon or muscle , air , descant , diapason , lay , measure , song , tune , warblenotes:a sprain involves one or more ligaments; a strain involves a tendon or muscle , pain , striving , trouble , while , aria

verb

constrict , distend , distort , draw tight , drive , exert , extend , fatigue , injure , overexert , overtax , overwork , pull , push , push to the limit , rack , sprain , task , tauten , tax , tear , tighten , tire , twist , weaken , wrenchnotes:a sprain involves one or more ligaments; a strain involves a tendon or muscle , bear down , endeavor , go all out , go for broke , grind , hammer , hustle , labor , moil , peg away , plug , strive , struggle , sweat , toll , trynotes:a sprain involves one or more ligaments; a strain involves a tendon or muscle , exude , percolate , purify , refine , riddle , screen , seep , separate , sieve , siftnotes:a sprain involves one or more ligaments; a strain involves a tendon or muscle , distress , harass , hassle , irk , pain , pick at , stress , trouble , fag , toil , travail , tug , work , defecate , filter , filtrate , overtask , puree , sift , stretch , wrench