Origin: Latin suffix -sion
Tension has 8 different meanings across 1 category:
a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature)
"there is a tension created between narrative time and movie time"
"there is a tension between these approaches to understanding history"
(physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body
"the direction of maximum tension moves asymptotically toward the direction of the shear"
feelings of hostility that are not manifest
"he could sense her latent hostility to him"
"the diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions"
The condition of being held in a state between two or more forces, which are acting in opposition to each other.
"The tight rope walker maintained perfect balance under the tension of gravity pulling him down and his own momentum trying to pull him forward."
In plain English: Tension is stress that builds up between people when they are arguing or disagreeing strongly.
"The tension in the room was so high that no one dared to speak."
Usage: Use this word for physical stress caused by opposing forces pulling equally in opposite directions, such as the tightness of a guitar string. It also describes emotional strain resulting from conflicting feelings or situations between people.
To place an object in tension, to pull or place strain on.
"The hiker pulled hard on the rope to put it into tension before securing the tent."
In plain English: To make something tight by pulling on it from opposite ends.
"The constant arguing created tension between them."
The word entered English via Middle French as tensiō, which was originally a borrowing from the Latin term of the same form. It retained its core meaning related to being stretched or strained throughout this journey across languages.