strain
STRAYN
/streɪn/
A force tending to pull or stretch something to an extreme or damaging degree; specifically, an injury to a muscle or tendon.
In a medical context, a strain is often called a 'pulled muscle.'
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'stringere,' meaning 'to draw tight' or 'bind.' It’s the same root that gives us 'string' and 'strict.' It describes the over-tightening of muscle fibers until they tear.
Word relationships
- pull: A 'pull' is the informal term for a muscle strain.
Commonly confused with
- sprain: Strain = Muscle; Sprain = Ligament.
Word family
- strained (adjective): Injured by overexertion.
Collocations
- muscle strain
- repetitive strain
- back strain
Idioms & expressions
- strain every nerve
Example sentences
- "He suffered a hamstring strain that kept him out of the competition." Describing a common sprinting injury.
Memory hook
Strain has a 'T' for 'Tendon' or 'Tension' in the muscle. Tension that tears.
When not to use
Do not use for joint/ligament injuries (use sprain).
Fun facts
- Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is common not just in athletes, but in office workers who type for long hours.
Explore more words
tensile, shear, musculoskeletal, stamina, exertion, distortion
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