The meaning of TENSION is inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion. How to use tension in a sentence.

TENSION definition: 1. a feeling of nervousness before an important or difficult event: 2. a feeling of fear or anger…. Learn more.

TENSION meaning: 1 : a feeling of nervousness that makes you unable to relax; 2 : a feeling of nervousness, excitement, or fear that is created in a movie, book, etc.

A balanced relation between strongly opposing elements: "the continuing, and essential, tension between two of the three branches of government, judicial and legislative" (Haynes Johnson).

emotional strain, esp. intense suspense, anxiety, or nervousness:[uncountable] a lot of tension in his job. a strained relationship between individuals, etc.: [uncountable] Tension increased along the border. …

Jan 14, 2026 · tension (countable and uncountable, plural tensions) The condition of being held in a state between two or more forces, which are acting in opposition to each other.

The noun tension has its Latin roots in tendere, which means to stretch, and tension occurs when something is stretched either physically or emotionally. Strained relations between countries can …