'Tension' definitions:

Definition of 'tension'

(from WordNet)
noun
(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense; "he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension"; "stress is a vasoconstrictor" [syn: tension, tenseness, stress]
noun
The physical condition of being stretched or strained; "it places great tension on the leg muscles"; "he could feel the tenseness of her body" [syn: tension, tensity, tenseness, tautness]
noun
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"
noun
(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"
noun
Feelings of hostility that are not manifest; "he could sense her latent hostility to him"; "the diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions" [syn: latent hostility, tension]
noun
The action of stretching something tight; "tension holds the belt in the pulleys"

Definition of 'Tension'

From: GCIDE
  • Tension \Ten"sion\, n. [L. tensio, from tendere, tensum, to stretch: cf. F. tension. See Tense, a.]
  • 1. The act of stretching or straining; the state of being stretched or strained to stiffness; the state of being bent strained; as, the tension of the muscles, tension of the larynx. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling; intense effort. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. The degree of stretching to which a wire, cord, piece of timber, or the like, is strained by drawing it in the direction of its length; strain. --Gwilt. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Mech.) The force by which a part is pulled when forming part of any system in equilibrium or in motion; as, the tension of a srting supporting a weight equals that weight. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A device for checking the delivery of the thread in a sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required degree of tightness. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. (Physics) Expansive force; the force with which the particles of a body, as a gas, tend to recede from each other and occupy a larger space; elastic force; elasticity; as, the tension of vapor; the tension of air. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. (Elec.) The quality in consequence of which an electric charge tends to discharge itself, as into the air by a spark, or to pass from a body of greater to one of less electrical potential. It varies as the quantity of electricity upon a given area. [1913 Webster]
  • Tension brace, or Tension member (Engin.), a brace or member designed to resist tension, or subjected to tension, in a structure.
  • Tension rod (Engin.), an iron rod used as a tension member to strengthen timber or metal framework, roofs, or the like. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'tension'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Tension'