tension

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [U,C,usually pl.] ~ (between A and B) a situation in which people do not trust each other, or feel unfriendly towards each other, and which may cause them to attack each other: There is mounting tension along the border. * international / racial / political tensions * Family tensions and conflicts may lead to violence. * The incident has further increased tension between the two countries. 2 [C,U] ~ (between A and B) a situation in which the fact that there are different needs or interests causes difficulties: There is often a tension between the aims of the company and the wishes of the employees. 3 [U] a feeling of anxiety and stress that makes it impossible to relax: nervous tension * We laughed and that helped ease the tension. * Walking and swimming are excellent for releasing tension. * a tension headache 4 [U] the feeling of fear and excitement that is created by a writer or a film/movie DIRECTOR: dramatic tension * As the movie progresses the tension builds. 5 [U] the state of being stretched tight; the extent to which sth is stretched tight: muscular tension * Adjust the string tension of your tennis racket to suit your style of playing. * When knitting, try to keep the same tension throughout. * Massage can relieve tension in your shoulders and back. seealsoSURFACETENSION verb [VN] (technical) to make a wire, sail, etc. tight and stretched