tension
/ˈtɛnʃən/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.22 in modern English
7
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The condition of being held in a state between two or more forces, which are acting in opposition to each other.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A feeling of nervousness, excitement, or fear that is created in a movie, book, etc.; suspense.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The state of an elastic object which is stretched in a way which increases its length.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "My tensions with Eric over his alleged past actions have been fully resolved."
- "This popular characterization of the Devil incorporates the Trickster archetype. Both are smart, energetic, lying, quick to take advantage of an opportunity. Both have latent narrative appeal in their generation of tension and conflict, their unpredictability, their defiance of hierarchy and authority."
- "Most of the overhead system is of the weight-tensioned type, constant tension being automatically applied by balance weights."
- "We tensioned the cable until it snapped."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ten- Proto-Indo-European *tend- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *téndeti Proto-Italic *tendō Latin tendō Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin tēnsiōder. Middle French tensionbor. English tension Borrowed from Middle French tension, from Latin tēnsiō.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: tension, tensio
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈtɛnʃən/
- British English: /ˈtɛnʃn̩/