tension
noun
1. (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense
- he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension
Similar word(s): stress, tenseness
Definition categories: state, strain
2. the physical condition of being stretched or strained
- it places great tension on the leg muscles
- he could feel the tenseness of her body
Similar word(s): tautness, tenseness, tensity
Definition categories: state, condition, status
3. a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature)
- there is a tension created between narrative time and movie time
- there is a tension between these approaches to understanding history
Definition categories: state, balance
4. (physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body
- the direction of maximum tension moves asymptotically toward the direction of the shear
Definition categories: phenomenon, stress
5. feelings of hostility that are not manifest
- he could sense her latent hostility to him
- the diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions
Definition categories: state, antagonism, enmity, hostility
6. the action of stretching something tight
- tension holds the belt in the pulleys
Definition categories: act, stretching
verb
1. To place an object in tension, to pull or place strain on.
- We tensioned the cable until it snapped.