tension
gb/tˈɛnʃən/ us/tˈɛnʃən/
B1
English
~ 2200
feszültség, feszesség, feszítőerő, kötélerő
NOUN
B1
1
feszültség
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels tension
There was a lot of tension in the room after the argument.
A vita után nagy volt a feszültség a szobában.
Diplomatic talks aim to reduce tension between the two countries.
A diplomáciai tárgyalások célja, hogy csökkentsék a két ország közötti feszültséget.
She could feel the tension building before the exam.
Learner examples
I feel tension before a test.
Dolgozat előtt feszültséget érzek.
There is tension in the office today.
Ma feszültség van az irodában.
The teacher tried to stop the tension in the class.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tension' with 'attention', but they have very different meanings.
Meaning
Mental strain or anxiety
Collocations
mounting tension
|ease the tension
|feel the tension
|create tension
Synonyms
stress (More general, can refer to physical or emotional pressure.)
|
strain (Often suggests prolonged or intense pressure.)
Antonyms
relaxation (The absence of stress or nervousness.)
|
calm (A peaceful state without emotional strain.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A feeling of worry, stress, or nervousness because of problems or conflict.
A state of mental or emotional strain caused by stress, conflict, or uncertainty.
NOUN
B1
2
feszültség
B2
Usage pattern:
tension between [two groups/people]
Tension between the two communities has been rising for months.
Hónapok óta nő a feszültség a két közösség között.
Trade negotiations helped ease tensions between the nations.
A kereskedelmi tárgyalások segítettek enyhíteni az országok közötti feszültségeket.
The strike created tension between management and workers.
Learner examples
There is tension between my neighbors.
Feszültség van a szomszédaim között.
The two countries have political tension.
Politikai feszültség van a két ország között.
Tension grew after the meeting.
Meaning
Conflict between parties
Collocations
political tension
|racial tension
|international tension
Synonyms
conflict (Can refer to open fighting as well as hostility.)
|
friction (Less formal; often used for interpersonal issues.)
Antonyms
harmony (Peaceful and cooperative relations.)
|
agreement (A state where parties share the same opinion or decision.)
Themes
relationships
|politics
|law
Definition
When people or groups do not get along and there is anger or hostility between them.
A situation in which people, groups, or countries are unfriendly or hostile toward each other, often with a risk of conflict.
NOUN
B2
3
feszesség
B2
feszültség
B2
Usage pattern:
tension in [a rope/string/wire]
The tension in the cable must be adjusted before use.
Használat előtt be kell állítani a kábel feszességét.
You can feel the tension in the guitar strings.
Érezni lehet a gitárhúrok feszességét.
The tent collapsed because the ropes lost their tension.
Learner examples
The rope has high tension.
A kötél nagyon feszes.
I can feel tension in the string.
Érzem a zsinór feszességét.
We must check the tension in the wire.
Meaning
Tightness in material
Collocations
high tension
|adjust the tension
|release the tension
Synonyms
tightness (A more general term for being tight.)
|
strain (Technical term for force applied to a material.)
Antonyms
slackness (Lack of tightness in a rope or wire.)
|
looseness (Being not tight or firm.)
Themes
science
|engineering
|technology
Definition
When something like a rope or wire is pulled tight.
The state of a material being stretched tightly by a force.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
4
feszítőerő
C1
kötélerő
C1
Tension keeps the bridge cables taut under load.
Terhelés alatt a feszítőerő tartja feszesen a híd kábeleit.
The diagram shows the direction of tension in the rope.
Az ábra a kötélben ébredő feszítőerő irányát mutatja.
Tension is measured in newtons.
Learner examples
Tension is a pulling force.
A feszítőerő húzóerő.
Tension acts on a rope when you pull it.
Amikor meghúzol egy kötelet, feszítőerő ébred benne.
In physics, we study tension in strings.
Meaning
Stretching force in physics
Collocations
tension force
|measure tension
Synonyms
tensile force (Technical term for force causing stretching.)
Themes
science
|physics
|technology
Definition
In science, a force that pulls something like a rope tight from both ends.
In physics, a pulling force transmitted through a string, rope, cable, or similar when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tension
IPA
GB/tˈɛnʃən/
US/tˈɛnʃən/
Syllables & stress
ten - sion (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ten)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tension
- Plural: tension, tensions
Word family
Forms
tensions
noun
Core family
tense
adjective B1
Related words
tensely
adverb
tenseness
noun
Advanced or less common
tensile
adjective
Expressions
cut the tension with a knife
1/kˈʌt ðə tˈɛnʃən wˈɪθ ə nˈaɪf/
idiom
informal
Very tense atmosphere
When a place feels very tense and uncomfortable because people are angry or nervous.
Examples
- After the argument, you could cut the tension with a knife.
- The room was so quiet you could cut the tension with a knife.
ease the tension
1/ˈiz ðə tˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
Reduce stress or conflict
To make people feel less nervous, stressed, or angry.
Examples
- A joke helped ease the tension during the meeting.
- Music can ease the tension after a long day.
high tension
1/hˈaɪ tˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
High-voltage electricity system
Electric wires or equipment that carry very strong electricity.
Examples
- Workers repaired a high-tension power line.
- High-tension cables must be handled carefully.
mounting tension
1/mˈaʊntɪŋ tˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
Growing stress or conflict
A feeling of stress or conflict that is getting stronger.
Examples
- There was mounting tension before the final vote.
- Mounting tension in the city led to protests.