Stress
/stres/
Definitions
3 meaningsA state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.
/stres/
Mental or emotional strain or tension.
She's under a lot of stress because of her job.
💡 Simply: Imagine feeling really worried or pressured. That feeling of being overwhelmed is called stress. Like when you have too much homework or a big test coming up.
👶 For kids: When you feel worried or upset about something, that's called stress!
More Examples
The constant deadlines at work were a major cause of stress.
Exercise can be a good way to relieve stress.
How It's Used
"Chronic stress can have detrimental effects on one's health."
"The upcoming exam is a major source of stress for many students."
To lay emphasis on; to accentuate.
/stres/
To give particular emphasis or importance to (a point, statement, or idea) when speaking or writing.
The teacher stressed the need for careful proofreading.
💡 Simply: When you're talking or writing, 'stress' means to make something sound really important. Like when you say, 'Do NOT forget!' with extra emphasis.
👶 For kids: When you want to make something sound important, you stress it!
More Examples
The manager stressed the importance of meeting the deadline.
I tried to stress my point of view in the discussion.
How It's Used
"The speaker stressed the importance of teamwork."
"The professor stressed key concepts in the lecture."
Force exerted on an object that causes deformation.
/stres/
Physical force exerted on an object.
The material's structural integrity was compromised by the stress.
💡 Simply: Imagine stretching a rubber band. The force you're using to pull it is like stress. It's all about how much force something is taking.
👶 For kids: When you push or pull on something really hard, that's stress!
More Examples
Engineers calculate the stress on the building's support beams.
The stress on the rope caused it to snap.
How It's Used
"The bridge was designed to withstand high levels of stress."
"The material's stress limit was exceeded."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
under stress
Feeling pressure, strain, or difficulty.
"The team worked well under stress to complete the project on time."
stress test
A test to evaluate a system's performance under extreme conditions.
"The company performed a stress test on its network to ensure it could handle peak traffic."
de-stress
To reduce or alleviate stress.
"Yoga and meditation are great ways to de-stress after a long day."
From Middle English *stresse*, from Old French *estrece* (constraint, distress), from Latin *stringere* (to draw tight, bind).
The word 'stress' has been used in a variety of contexts throughout history, from describing physical forces to emotional strain. Its usage in psychology and mental health has increased significantly in the modern era.
Memory tip
Think of a tight rubber band. Stress is the force that stretches it.