tension
gb/tˈɛnʃən/ us/tˈɛnʃən/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
Mental strain or anxiety
A feeling of worry, stress, or nervousness because of problems or conflict.
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels tension
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tension' with 'attention', but they have very different meanings.
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.)
Collocations
mounting tension
|ease the tension
|feel the tension
|create tension
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a lot of tension in the room after the argument.
- Diplomatic talks aim to reduce tension between the two countries.
- She could feel the tension building before the exam.
Learner examples
- I feel tension before a test.
- There is tension in the office today.
- The teacher tried to stop the tension in the class.
Noun
B1
state
2
Conflict between parties
When people or groups do not get along and there is anger or hostility between them.
Usage pattern:
tension between [two groups/people]
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.)
Collocations
political tension
|racial tension
|international tension
Themes
relationships
|politics
|law
Examples
- Tension between the two communities has been rising for months.
- Trade negotiations helped ease tensions between the nations.
- The strike created tension between management and workers.
Learner examples
- There is tension between my neighbors.
- The two countries have political tension.
- Tension grew after the meeting.
Noun
B2
state
3
Tightness in material
When something like a rope or wire is pulled tight.
Usage pattern:
tension in [a rope/string/wire]
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.)
Collocations
high tension
|adjust the tension
|release the tension
Themes
science
|engineering
|technology
Examples
- The tension in the cable must be adjusted before use.
- You can feel the tension in the guitar strings.
- The tent collapsed because the ropes lost their tension.
Learner examples
- The rope has high tension.
- I can feel tension in the string.
- We must check the tension in the wire.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
4
Stretching force in physics
In science, a force that pulls something like a rope tight from both ends.
Synonyms
tensile force (Technical term for force causing stretching.)
Collocations
tension force
|measure tension
Themes
science
|physics
|technology
Examples
- Tension keeps the bridge cables taut under load.
- The diagram shows the direction of tension in the rope.
- Tension is measured in newtons.
Learner examples
- Tension is a pulling force.
- Tension acts on a rope when you pull it.
- In physics, we study tension in strings.
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.