Definition of "Strain" :

noun: the act of singing

noun: an intense or violent exertion

noun: an effortful attempt to attain a goal

noun: the general meaning or substance of an utterance

noun: a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

noun: a special variety of domesticated animals within a species

"He created a new strain of sheep."

noun: (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups

"A new strain of microorganisms."

noun: (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

noun: injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse); results in swelling and pain

noun: (psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress

"His responsibilities were a constant strain."

noun: difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension

"She endured the stresses and strains of life."

verb: cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious

verb: alter the shape of (something) by stress

verb: to exert much effort or energy

"Straining our ears to hear."

verb: use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity

"Don't strain your mind too much."

verb: rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender

verb: remove by passing through a filter

verb: separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements

verb: become stretched or tense or taut

"The rope strained when the weight was attached."

verb: test the limits of