noun
plural strains
a feeling of stress and worry that you have because you are trying to do too much, are dealing with a difficult problem, etc. [count]
something that is very difficult to deal with and that causes harm or trouble [count]
a force that pulls or stretches something :stress [count]
usually singular
an injury to a body part or muscle that is caused by too much tension, effort, or use [count]
verb
strains; strained; straining
[+ obj] :to injure (a body part or muscle) by too much tension, use, or effort
to try very hard to do or get something [no obj] - often + for
to be pulled or stretched in a forceful way [no obj]
[no obj] :to pull hard on or push hard against something - + at or against
[+ obj] :to cause problems or trouble for (something)
[+ obj] :to separate a liquid from solid pieces by using a special device (called a strainer)
strain yourself
to injure yourself by making your muscles do too much work
to put a lot of physical or mental effort into doing something
noun
plural strains
[count] :a group of closely related plants or animals :variety - often + of
[count] literary + somewhat old-fashioned :a usually bad quality that someone or something has - usually singular; usually + of
[singular] formal + literary :a small amount of something
[count] :a kind or sort of something - usually + of
strains [plural] formal :the musical sounds of someone or something