strain1/stren; streIn/n 1 [C,U] the pressure or worry that is caused by a difficult situation, job, or problem 压力﹔紧张﹐焦虑: the strain of sth He couldn’t cope with the strain of being a teacher. 他应付不了当教师的压力。under (a) strain She's been under a lot of strain recently. 她最近压力很大。put a strain on sb/sth (=cause them to be in a difficult situation) 给某人/某事造成压力 The flu epidemic has put a huge strain on the health service. 流感的流行给公共医疗服务机构造成了巨大压力。break/crack/collapse etc under the strain Their relationship was cracking under the strain. 他们的关系在压力下要崩溃了。2 [U] when something is pulled or stretched very tightly or has to carry a lot of weight 拉力﹐张力: under the strain (=because of the strain) 在拉力下 The rope snapped under the strain. 绳子被拉断了。3 [C,U] an injury caused by using part of your body too much〔肌肉或人体部位的〕拉伤﹔扭伤﹔劳损: eye strain 眼睛疲劳4 [C] a type of plant, animal, or disease〔植物﹑动物或疾病的〕品种﹐类型﹐(品)系: +of a new strain of the virus 这种病毒的新品种
strain2v 1 [T] to injure part of your body by stretching it too much 拉伤﹐扭伤﹐损伤: Kevin strained a muscle in his neck. 凯文扭伤了颈部肌肉。2 [I,T] to try very hard to do something 竭力﹐用全力: strain to do sth She moved closer, straining to hear what they said. 她走近一些,尽力倾听他们的谈话。3 [T] to separate solid things from a liquid by pouring the mixture through a strainer 滤﹐过滤see picture on page 见 A4 页图4 [T] to make a situation or relationship more difficult 使〔局势或关系〕更紧张: It's an issue that's straining relations between the countries. 这是造成国际关系紧张的一个问题。