adj.
Pronunciation: ' ten(t)-s ə l also ' ten- ˌ s ī (- ə )l
Function: adjective
Etymology: New Latin tensilis, from Latin tensus, past participle
Date: 1626
1 : capable of tension : DUCTILE
2 : of, relating to, or involving tension < tensile stress>
– ten · sil · i · ty \ ten- ' si-l ə -t ē \ noun