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strain

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verb American English pronunciation: strain /streɪn/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theystrain
he/she/itstrains
present participlestraining
past tensestrained
past participlestrained
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] to try very hard to do something
    strain to do something:

    I strained to hear what they were saying.

    strain for:

    onlookers straining for a view of the celebrity

    strain yourself:

    I could keep up with him, without straining myself.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of strain
  2. 2
    [transitive] to make a relationship uncomfortable and not friendly

    Relations between the two nations have been strained since the war.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of strain
  3. 3
    [transitive] to injure yourself by twisting or stretching a muscle too much

    I strained a muscle in my shoulder.

    strain your back/eyes:

    Reading in poor light can strain your eyes.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of strain
  5. 5
    [intransitive] to pull at something very hard
    strain at:

    The elephants strained at their ropes.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of strain
    1. a.
      to push against something very hard
      strain against:

      Tommy was straining against the straps of his car seat.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of strain
See also

This is the American English definition of strain. View British English definition of strain.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

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