tensile
TEN-syl
/ˈtɛnsaɪl/
Relating to tension; capable of being drawn out or stretched without breaking.
Specifically describes forces that pull a material apart, contrasting directly with compressive forces that squeeze it.
The story behind the word. The word traces back to the Latin verb 'tendere', which has given English a massive family of words including 'tension', 'tendon', and 'extend'. In the 17th century, scientists adopted 'tensile' specifically to describe a material's capacity to withstand being pulled and stretched.
Word relationships
- ductile: Ductile refers to a material's ability to deform plastically under tension, while tensile refers to the tension force itself.
- extensible: Extensible means capable of being stretched, but lacks the technical connotation of resisting high-tension forces.
- compressive: Compressive relates to forces that squeeze or compact a material rather than stretching it.
Commonly confused with
- tensional: Tensional is a general term relating to tension, whereas tensile is specifically used in engineering to describe material properties and strength.
Word family
- tension (noun): The state of being stretched tight.
- tenser (adjective): More tight or stretched.
Collocations
- tensile strength
- tensile stress
- tensile force
- tensile properties
Example sentences
- "The steel cables of the suspension bridge are engineered for high tensile strength." Bridge engineering
- "Engineers measured the tensile properties of the new polymer by pulling it until it fractured." Material science testing
Memory hook
Think of 'tensile' as 'tension-able'. A rubber band has high tensile capacity because you can pull it tight without it snapping. Tensile stands for tension.
When not to use
Do not use when describing forces that compress, shear, or twist a material.
Fun facts
- Spider silk has a tensile strength comparable to high-grade steel, making it one of the strongest natural materials on Earth relative to its weight.
Related words
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