tension (Noun) — (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense. ex. "he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension"
tension (Noun) — The physical condition of being stretched or strained. ex. "it places great tension on the leg muscles"
tension (Noun) — (literature) a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature). ex. "there is a tension created between narrative time and movie time" ex. "there is a tension between these approaches to understanding history"
tension (Noun) — (physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body. ex. "the direction of maximum tension moves asymptotically toward the direction of the shear"
tension (Noun) — Feelings of hostility that are not manifest. ex. "the diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions"
tension (Noun) — The action of stretching something tight. ex. "tension holds the belt in the pulleys"
tension (Verb) — Put an object in tension; pull or place strain on.