- [uncountable, countable, usually plural]
a situation in which people do not trust each other, or feel unfriendly towards each other, and that may cause them to attack each other 紧张局势（或关系、状况） There is mounting tension along the border. 边境局势日趋紧张。 international/racial/political tensions 国际紧张局势；种族间的紧张关系；政治上的紧张状况 Family tensions and conflicts may lead to violence. 家庭关系紧张和矛盾会导致暴力行为。 - tension between A and B
The incident has further increased tension between the two countries. 这一事件进一步加剧了两国之间的紧张局势。
Extra ExamplesTopics Social issuesb2In the early 1960's, new tensions arose between the United States and the USSR. 20 世纪 60 年代初，美国和苏联之间出现了新的紧张关系。 Money was always a source of tension between her parents. 金钱始终是造成她父母关系紧张的根源。 More police have been sent to areas of high political tension. 政治局势高度紧张的地区增派了警力。 Racial tensions in the town were running high. 镇子里种族关系高度紧张。 She often used humour to defuse tension in meetings. 她经常用幽默来缓和会议上的紧张气氛。 The job losses caused greater tensions within the company. 人员裁减在公司内部造成了更强烈的紧张关系。 tension between local youths and the police 当地青年和警察之间的紧张关系
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- high
- …
- cause
- create
- generate
- …
- build up
- grow
- increase
- …
- tension among
- tension between
- tension in
- …
- a source of tension
- [countable, uncountable] tension (between A and B)
a situation in which the fact that there are different needs or interests causes difficulties 矛盾；对立 There is often a tension between the aims of the company and the wishes of the employees. 公司的目标和雇员的愿望之间经常存在矛盾。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- high
- …
- cause
- create
- generate
- …
- build up
- grow
- increase
- …
- tension among
- tension between
- tension in
- …
- a source of tension
- [uncountable]
a feeling of worry and stress that makes it impossible to relax （情绪上的）紧张，烦躁 nervous tension 神经紧张 We laughed and that helped ease the tension. 我们笑了，因而紧张的情绪得以缓和下来。 Walking and swimming are excellent for releasing tension. 散步和游泳是释放紧张的绝佳方式。 a tension headache 紧张性头痛
Synonyms pressurepressure- stress
- tension
- strain
- pressure difficulties and feelings of worry that are caused by the need to achieve something or to behave in a particular way:
She was unable to attend because of the pressures of work. 由于工作紧张，她不能出席。
- stress pressure or worry caused by the problems in somebody’s life:
stress-related illnesses 与精神压力有关的疾病
pressure or stress? 用 pressure 还是 stress？ - tension a feeling of worry and stress that makes it impossible to relax:
nervous tension 神经紧张
- strain pressure on somebody/something because they have too much to do or manage; the problems or worry that this produces:
I found it a strain looking after four children. 我觉得照料四个孩子挺累的。
- to be under pressure/stress/strain
- considerable pressure/stress/tension/strain
- to cause stress/tension/strain
- to cope with the pressure/stress/tension/strain
- to relieve/release the pressure/stress/tension/strain
- to be suffering from stress/tension
Extra ExamplesHe suffers from nervous tension. 他饱受神经紧张之苦。 Horses are very sensitive to signs of tension in humans. 马对人类流露出的紧张情绪非常敏感。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- inner
- emotional
- nervous
- …
- feel
- suffer from
- sense
- …
- headache
- tension in
- a release of tension
- a sign of tension
- [uncountable]
the feeling of fear and excitement that is created by a writer or a film director （作家或电影导演制造的）紧张气氛 Extra ExamplesTopics Film and theatreb2, Literature and writingb2Tension builds around the mystery of what will happen to Freddie. 弗雷迪会发生什么事显得神秘莫测，气氛愈发紧张。 The tension among the audience was palpable. 观众中的紧张气氛显而易见。 the use of editing to heighten the tension 通过编辑提高张力
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- dramatic
- build
- heighten
- increase
- …
- build
- grow
- mount
- …
- [uncountable]
the state of being stretched tight; the extent to which something is stretched tight 拉伸；张力；拉紧状态；绷紧程度 muscular tension 肌肉绷紧 Adjust the string tension of your tennis racket to suit your style of playing. 调节网球拍的网张力，以配合你的打法。 When knitting, try to keep the same tension throughout. 编织时，始终保持相同的张力。 Massage can relieve tension in your shoulders and back. 按摩可以缓解肩部和背部的紧张。
Extra ExamplesThe sudden tension on the line told me I had hooked a fish. 钓线突然绷紧告诉我鱼上钩了。 The metal is weak in tension. 这种金属张力很差。 Stay clear of cables which are under tension. 远离绷紧的缆绳。 The hot bath eased the tension in his body. 洗个热水澡缓解了他身体的紧张。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- string
- adjust
- release
- in tension
- under tension
- tension on
- …
Word Originmid 16th cent. (as a medical term denoting a condition or feeling of being physically stretched or strained): from French, or from Latin tensio(n-), from tendere ‘stretch’.