strain

/stɹeɪn/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: strains · straining · strained

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A particular variety of a microbe, virus, or other organism, usually a taxonomically infraspecific one.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Một loại đặc biệt của vi sinh vật, virus hoặc sinh vật khác, thường là một phân loại dưới loài

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

They say this year's flu virus is a particularly virulent strain.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Hereditary character, quality, tendency, or disposition.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Tính cách, chất lượng, xu hướng hoặc khuynh hướng di truyền

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

There is a strain of madness in her family.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To apply a force or forces to by stretching out.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Áp dụng lực hoặc lực bằng cách kéo giãn

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

to strain a rope; to strain the shrouds of a ship

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To damage by drawing, stretching, or the exertion of force.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

gây tổn thương bằng cách kéo giãn hoặc sử dụng lực

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

The gale strained the timbers of the ship.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “strain” mean?

A particular variety of a microbe, virus, or other organism, usually a taxonomically infraspecific one.

Is “strain” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.