When something is strained, it's stretched tight, stressed, or showing signs of pressure. A strained rope pulls taut and might snap if you pull any harder. A strained muscle hurts because you've overworked or overstretched it, like when you run faster than you're used to or lift something too heavy.

The word also describes relationships or situations under stress. When a friendship becomes strained, conversations feel awkward and uncomfortable, like walking on eggshells. Maybe you and your best friend had an argument and haven't quite worked it out yet: you still talk, but things feel tense and unnatural. A family's budget might be strained when there's barely enough money to cover expenses, creating worry and pressure.

You might also hear about a strained smile or strained laughter: someone trying to seem happy when they're clearly not. Picture forcing yourself to smile for a photo when you're actually upset. That forced, uncomfortable quality is what makes it strained.

The word captures that sense of something pushed to its limits, whether it's a physical object, a relationship, your patience, or your body. When you feel strain, you're experiencing that pressure yourself.