n.
Function: noun
Date: 1558
1 : an act of straining or the condition of being strained: as a : bodily injury from excessive tension, effort, or use <heart strain > especially : one resulting from a wrench or twist and involving undue stretching of muscles or ligaments <back strain > b : excessive or difficult exertion or labor c : excessive physical or mental tension also : a force, influence, or factor causing such tension <a strain on the marriage> d : deformation of a material body under the action of applied forces
2 : an unusual reach, degree, or intensity : PITCH
3 archaic : a strained interpretation of something said or written