straining Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun an intense or violent exertion
   strain.
   
2. noun the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
   twisting; overrefinement; torture; distortion.
   
3. verb to exert much effort or energy
   strain; reach; strive.
   
   • straining our ears to hear
4. verb test the limits of
   try; strain; stress.
   
   • You are trying my patience!
5. verb use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity
   strain; extend.
   
   • He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro
   • Don't strain your mind too much
6. verb separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements
   strain; sift; sieve.
   
   • sift the flour
7. verb cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious
   strain; tense up; tense.
   
   • he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up
8. verb become stretched or tense or taut
   strain; tense.
   
   • the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed
   • "the rope strained when the weight was attached
9. verb remove by passing through a filter
   filter; filtrate; separate out; filter out; strain.
   
   • filter out the impurities
10. verb rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender
    strain; puree.
    
    • puree the vegetables for the baby
11. verb alter the shape of (something) by stress
    strain; deform; distort.
    
    • His body was deformed by leprosy
12. adjective satellite taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance
    arduous; strenuous.
    
    • his final, straining burst of speed
    • a strenuous task
    • your willingness after these six arduous days to remain here"- F.D.Roosevelt

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