TENSION • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Tension

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/tˈɛnʃən/ Listen

Tension

noun

(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense. Synonyms: stress, tenseness. "Stress is a vasoconstrictor"

The physical condition of being stretched or strained. Synonyms: tautness, tenseness, tensity. "He could feel the tenseness of her body"

A balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature). "There is a tension between these approaches to understanding history"

(physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body.

Feelings of hostility that are not manifest. Synonym: latent hostility. "The diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions"

The action of stretching something tight.

See more definitions of Tension...

See images of 'Tension'

Etymology of 'Tension'

Related searches:

tension headache

high-tension

interfacial surface tension

interfacial tension

low-tension

normal tension glaucoma

surface tension

tensional

Share |

"Tension" Quotes from Famous Books

... excellent make. Made of forged steel, and breech-loaders, they ought consequently to be able to bear a considerable charge, and also have an enormous range. In fact, as regards practical effect, the transit described by the ball ought to be as extended as possible, and this tension could only be obtained under the condition that the projectile should be impelled with a very ...

— The Secret of the Island • W.H.G. Kingston (translation from Jules Verne)

... would send it faster. We did not like to fool along this way, an eighth up and an eighth, or a quarter down, and all uncertainty and tension. Besides, we needed our accruing profits to meet our heavily increased expenses which were by no means easy to dispose of with our normal income, improved though it was with ...

— The Van Dwellers - A Strenuous Quest for a Home • Albert Bigelow Paine

... raised the question of fetching away the "Lizzie," as Sir I. Hamilton's troops used to call her, lest evil should befall this, the most powerful ship in commission at the time. Lord Fisher has referred to this matter in his book Memories. He speaks of great tension between Lord K. and himself over the business, and he mentions an interview at the Admiralty at which, according to him, Lord K. got up from the table and left when he (Lord Fisher) announced that he would resign unless the battleship was ordered out ...

— Experiences of a Dug-out, 1914-1918 • Charles Edward Callwell

... the story," he persisted, "to cause so much tension? I felt it in the air, Roger. It was in the looks of those about me, in Una's face. She was troubled. I had ...

— Paradise Garden - The Satirical Narrative of a Great Experiment • George Gibbs

... the old order at least, always waiting upon great events, has found in the high-tide flotations of masterful heroes to fortune themes most flatteringly responsive to its own high tension. ...

— Life at High Tide - Harper's Novelettes • Various

More quotes...