What is strain? Pronunciation and usage in English

strain means . Learn how to pronounce and use strain through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of strain

strainverb

/streɪn/
Definition & pronunciation of strain

Okay, let’s break down how to pronounce “strain.” There are actually two common pronunciations, and it depends on what you mean!

1. Strain (as in, to pull something tight - like stretching a rubber band):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈstreɪn/ (stress on the first syllable)
  • Sounds: “STRAYN” – like the word “gray” but with an “ay” sound at the end.
  • Breakdown:
    • St- – similar to the “st” in “stop”
    • -rain – like the word “rain”

2. Strain (as in, difficulty or trouble – like "a strain on your wallet"):

  • Pronunciation: /streɪn/ (stress on the second syllable)
  • Sounds: “STRAIN” – like the word “stain”
  • Breakdown:
    • st- – similar to the “st” in “stop”
    • -rain – like the word “rain”

Here's a quick way to remember:

  • Strayn: If you're stretching something.
  • Strain: If you're feeling stressed or experiencing difficulty.

Resources to help you hear the pronunciation:

To help me give you even more targeted guidance, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to pronounce “strain”? (e.g., are you talking about stretching something, or are you talking about difficulty?)

Usage and examples with the word strain in English

Let's break down how to use the word "strain" in English. It's a remarkably versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. Physical Strain (Most Common)

  • Meaning: A state of being subjected to excessive force or pressure, causing discomfort or damage. Think of it as putting stress on something.
  • Examples:
    • "The heavy lifting put a serious strain on his back." (Physical exertion)
    • "Her eyes were strained from reading in the dim light." (Physical effort)
    • "The bridge is under strain from the increased traffic." (Structural stress)
    • “He felt a strain in his muscles after the long run.”

2. A Thinning or Stretching (Often of Material)

  • Meaning: To pull something thin or to stretch it beyond its normal limits. Imagine pulling a rubber band.
  • Examples:
    • "She strained the fabric to make it fit." (To stretch)
    • "The gardener strained the seedlings to encourage them to grow tall." (To stretch with water)
    • "The rope was strained dangerously." (Extended beyond its limits)

3. A Difficult or Demanding Situation (Figurative)

  • Meaning: A difficult, stressful, or demanding situation; a source of hardship.
  • Examples:
    • "The business is under a lot of strain because of the economic downturn." (Difficult situation)
    • "She's been under a lot of strain with the illness of her child." (Emotional stress)
    • “The pandemic put a huge strain on the healthcare system.” (Increased demand)

4. A Particular Variety or Type (Often of a Plant or Animal)

  • Meaning: A specific variety or type of something, often implying a modified or selected version.
  • Examples:
    • "The botanist studied the different strains of wheat." (Different varieties)
    • "Various strains of influenza circulate each year." (Different types of a disease)
    • “They’re breeding new strains of roses.” (New types)

5. A Sound (Less Common)

  • Meaning: A harsh or grating sound.
  • Examples:
    • "The barking of the dog was a painful strain on my ears." (Unpleasant noise)

6. (Verb - To Put Strain)

  • Meaning: To exert pressure or stress on something.
  • Examples:
    • “He tried to strain himself to lift the heavy box.” (To exert effort)
    • “Don’t strain your eyes trying to read that.” (To avoid putting pressure on)

Key Considerations & How to Choose the Right Meaning:

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "strain" is almost entirely determined by the context in which it’s used.
  • Look for Verbs & Nouns: Pay attention to whether "strain" is being used as a noun (a thing) or a verb (an action).

Resources for Further Exploration:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "strain"? (e.g., "I'm writing a story about a runner," or "I'm trying to understand a technical document," or "I just want to know how to use it in a sentence.")

Synonyms for the word strain

Idioms of the word strain

creak under the strain
if a system or service creaks under the strain, it cannot deal effectively with all the things it is expected to do or provide

    Practice with vocabulary strain

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The prolonged economic downturn began to put a significant _______________ on the national healthcare system.
    2. After working long hours on the complex project, she felt considerable mental _______________.
    3. The sudden increase in demand for renewable energy placed a great _______________ on existing manufacturing capabilities, leading to delays.
    4. He accidentally _______________ his back while lifting heavy equipment without proper technique, requiring immediate medical attention.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. Which of the following describes the potential negative impact of an overwhelming workload on an individual's well-being and productivity? a) elation b) relaxation c) strain d) detachment

    2. Which words describe the potential negative impact of increasing demand on limited public services? (Select all that apply) a) expansion b) optimization c) strain d) pressure

    3. After hours of intense concentration on the minute details of the data, the analyst felt a considerable ___________ on her eyes. a) comfort b) ease c) strain d) relief

    4. Which word best describes the feeling of anxiety or nervousness before a major presentation that causes physical symptoms like a tight stomach? a) tranquility b) serenity c) excitement d) tension

    5. The highly competitive market environment created immense ___________ on businesses to innovate constantly and reduce costs. a) relief b) freedom c) pressure d) stability

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: The tight deadline for the project put a lot of mental stress on the entire team. Rewrite using "strain":

    2. Original: He seriously injured a muscle in his leg when he tried to lift the extremely heavy box without assistance. Rewrite using "strain" or a related word form:

    3. Original: The constant criticism from his supervisor was making him feel very uneasy and anxious, affecting his performance. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do NOT use "strain"):

    Answer Key

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. strain
    2. strain
    3. pressure
    4. sprained

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. c) strain
    2. c) strain, d) pressure
    3. c) strain
    4. d) tension
    5. c) pressure

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The tight deadline for the project created significant mental strain on the entire team.
    2. He strained a muscle in his leg when he attempted to lift the extremely heavy box without assistance.
    3. The constant criticism from his supervisor caused him considerable tension, affecting his performance.

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