Tension Definition & Meaning
tension
- noun
- (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense; "he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension"; "stress is a vasoconstrictor"
- the physical condition of being stretched or strained; "it places great tension on the leg muscles"; "he could feel the tenseness of her body"
- a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature); "there is a tension created between narrative time and movie time"; "there is a tension between these approaches to understanding history"
- (physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body; "the direction of maximum tension moves asymptotically toward the direction of the shear"
- feelings of hostility that are not manifest; "he could sense her latent hostility to him"; "the diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions"
- the action of stretching something tight; "tension holds the belt in the pulleys"
"Tension" in song lyrics
See how tension is used in real songs:
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"Product, well, it's drenched in a barren backward wasteland of shimmering moral tension"
Aesop Rock — Prosperity -
"Bare no position even though it's tension"
Almighty f/ Kevlaar 7, Phillie — Soul Position -
"My attitude fills the room, you can feel the tension"
Antoinette — I Got an Attitude
Words that rhyme with tension
Usage tips for "tension"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "tension" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for tension to find words that pair well.