- [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 緊張局勢（或關系、狀況） There is mounting tension along the border. 邊境局勢日趨緊張。 international/racial/political tensions 國際緊張局勢；種族間的緊張關系；政治上的緊張狀況 Family tensions and conflicts may lead to violence. 家庭關系緊張和矛盾會導致暴力行爲。 - tension between A and B
The incident has further increased tension between the two countries. 這一事件進一步加劇了兩國之間的緊張局勢。
Extra ExamplesTopics Social issuesb2In the early 1960's, new tensions arose between the United States and the USSR. 20 世紀 60 年代初，美國和蘇聯之間出現了新的緊張關系。 Money was always a source of tension between her parents. 金錢始終是造成她父母關系緊張的根源。 More police have been sent to areas of high political tension. 政治局勢高度緊張的地區增派了警力。 Racial tensions in the town were running high. 鎮子裏種族關系高度緊張。 She often used humour to defuse tension in meetings. 她經常用幽默來緩和會議上的緊張氣氛。 The job losses caused greater tensions within the company. 人員裁減在公司内部造成了更強烈的緊張關系。 tension between local youths and the police 當地青年和警察之間的緊張關系
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；對立 There is often a tension between the aims of the company and the wishes of the employees. 公司的目標和僱員的願望之間經常存在矛盾。
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 （情緒上的）緊張，煩躁 nervous tension 神經緊張 We laughed and that helped ease the tension. 我們笑了，因而緊張的情緒得以緩和下來。 Walking and swimming are excellent for releasing tension. 散步和遊泳是釋放緊張的絕佳方式。 a tension headache 緊張性頭痛
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. 由於工作緊張，她不能出席。
- stress pressure or worry caused by the problems in somebody’s life:
stress-related illnesses 與精神壓力有關的疾病
pressure or stress? 用 pressure 還是 stress？ - tension a feeling of worry and stress that makes it impossible to relax:
nervous tension 神經緊張
- 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. 我覺得照料四個孩子挺累的。
- 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. 他飽受神經緊張之苦。 Horses are very sensitive to signs of tension in humans. 馬對人類流露出的緊張情緒非常敏感。
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 （作家或電影導演制造的）緊張氣氛 Extra ExamplesTopics Film and theatreb2, Literature and writingb2Tension builds around the mystery of what will happen to Freddie. 弗雷迪會發生什麽事顯得神秘莫測，氣氛愈發緊張。 The tension among the audience was palpable. 觀衆中的緊張氣氛顯而易見。 the use of editing to heighten the tension 通過編輯提高張力
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；張力；拉緊狀態；繃緊程度 muscular tension 肌肉繃緊 Adjust the string tension of your tennis racket to suit your style of playing. 調節網球拍的網張力，以配合你的打法。 When knitting, try to keep the same tension throughout. 編織時，始終保持相同的張力。 Massage can relieve tension in your shoulders and back. 按摩可以緩解肩部和背部的緊張。
Extra ExamplesThe sudden tension on the line told me I had hooked a fish. 釣線突然繃緊告訴我魚上鈎了。 The metal is weak in tension. 這種金屬張力很差。 Stay clear of cables which are under tension. 遠離繃緊的纜繩。 The hot bath eased the tension in his body. 洗個熱水澡緩解了他身體的緊張。
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’.