I. (ˈ)prē+ transitive verb
Etymology: pre- + stress
: to introduce internal stresses into (a building material) to counteract the stresses that will result from applied load (as in incorporating wires or cables under tension in concrete)
II. ˈprēˌ noun
Etymology: prestress , verb
1. : the process of prestressing
2. : the stresses introduced in prestress
3. : the condition of being prestressed