Tension
The state of being stretched tight; a mental or emotional strain; or a situation characterized by opposing forces or suspense.
nounTension
The state of being stretched tight; a mental or emotional strain; or a situation characterized by opposing forces or suspense.
nounImagine This
Imagine a tightrope walker high above the crowd. The rope is taut, and a gust of wind increases the tension in the cord, threatening to throw the performer off balance.
Sounds Like
TEN-shun
Looks Like
Similar to other -sion words such as attention, extension; visually resembles words ending in -sion
Remember This
In physics, tension is the pulling force transmitted along a string, rope, or cable when it is stretched. The standard unit of force is the Newton.
Other Forms
Connect With
strain, stress, pressure, pull, suspense, conflict, extension
Note
Tension describes a pull along a line (not a general stress). It differs from 'tense' (anxious) and from 'tensile' (relating to tension). Beware that 'tension' can refer to emotional strain as well as physical pull.