Cool MateStrain
UK /["/streɪn/"]/US /["/streɪn/"]/
Definition
pressure on a system or relationship because great demands are being placed on it
In simple words: To make a lot of effort or to injure a muscle.
Examples
- The strain on the bridge increased with the heavy traffic.
- She felt a strain in her back after lifting the heavy box.
- The new strain of virus was resistant to many vaccines.
- Farmers developed a strain of wheat that grows faster.
- There was a visible strain in the relationship after the argument.
- Muscle strain is a common injury among athletes.
Usage notes
Use 'strain' when discussing physical effort, injuries, or intense focus. Often used in exercise contexts. Avoid using in overly casual situations.
Grammar pattern
strain + object
Memory hint
Think of 'straining' spaghetti — you're using a lot of effort to separate it from the water.
Collocations
- considerable
- enormous
- great
- be under
- come under
- feel
- show
- take its toll (on somebody)
- tell (on somebody)
- under the strain
- strain on
- a bit of a strain
- signs of strain
- stresses and strains
- considerable
- enormous
- great
- be under
- come under
- feel
- show
- take its toll (on somebody)
- tell (on somebody)
- under the strain
- strain on
- a bit of a strain
- signs of strain
- stresses and strains
- bad
- slight
- back
- be suffering from
- have
- get
- new
- mutant
- virulent
- discover
- identify
- analyse/analyze
- strain of
Synonyms
- stress
- tension
- pressure
- strain
- exertion
Antonyms
- relax
- release
- ease
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'stain' when writing.
- Used as a noun without clarification (e.g., strain of effort).
- Incorrectly conjugating in different tenses.