Strained

Strained is the past participle of strain and functions as an adjective in English. It describes something that has been stretched beyond its normal length or that is under tension or pressure. The term is used across disciplines to convey deformation, stress, or pressure, but its precise meaning depends on context.

In science and engineering, strain is a measure of deformation that occurs when a material is subjected to external forces. Strain is typically expressed as a dimensionless ratio or as a percentage change in length, and it can be elastic (temporary) or plastic (permanent). Stress refers to the internal forces that cause the deformation; a material is described as strained when it has experienced deformation due to these forces.

In biology and medicine, a strain often refers to an injury to muscle or tendon caused by overstretching or excessive load. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, and limited movement. Treatment usually follows standard injury care, and recovery depends on severity. The term strain should be distinguished from a sprain, which involves ligaments.

In everyday language, strained describes relationships, finances, or environments under pressure or difficulty. A strained relationship, for example, shows tension, reduced trust, or conflict. Strained resources indicate limited supply relative to demand.

In practice, the use of "strained" varies with field, but generally signals some form of tension, deformation, or pressure, whether physical, biological, or social.