1. 压力;负担;重负
    If strain is put on an organization or system, it has to do more than it is able to do.

    e.g. The prison service is already under considerable strain...
           监狱系统已经承受了巨大的压力。
    e.g. The vast expansion in secondary education is putting an enormous strain on the system.
           中等教育的大幅扩张正对该系统造成巨大压力。

2. 使不堪承受;使紧张
    To strain something means to make it do more than it is able to do.

    e.g. The volume of scheduled flights is straining the air traffic control system...
           定期航班的数量正让空中交通指挥系统不堪重负。
    e.g. Resources will be further strained by new demands for housing.
           资源将因新的住房需求而变得更紧张。

3. (精神上的)压力，重负，紧张
    Strain is a state of worry and tension caused by a difficult situation.

    e.g. She was tired and under great strain.
           她身心疲惫，压力很大。
    e.g. ...the stresses and strains of a busy and demanding career.
           忙碌而辛苦的工作带来的巨大压力

4. 带来压力的情况;造成紧张的因素
    If you say that a situation is a strain, you mean that it makes you worried and tense.

    e.g. I sometimes find it a strain to be responsible for the mortgage.
           我有时觉得背负这笔抵押贷款很有压力。

5. 应力;张力;拉力;作用力;压力
    Strain is a force that pushes, pulls, or stretches something in a way that may damage it.

    e.g. Place your hands under your buttocks to take some of the strain off your back...
           将手放在臀部下面，减轻背部的一些压力。
    e.g. A build-up of strain on a section of the San Andreas Fault has been detected.
           已经勘测到圣安德烈亚斯断层的其中一处所承受的拉力在增强。

6. (肌肉的)扭伤，拉伤，劳损
    Strain is an injury to a muscle in your body, caused by using the muscle too much or twisting it.

    e.g. Avoid muscle strain by warming up with slow jogging.
           先慢跑热热身，免得拉伤肌肉。
    e.g. ...a groin strain.
           腹股沟拉伤

7. 扭伤，拉伤，损伤(肌肉)
    If you strain a muscle, you injure it by using it too much or twisting it.

    e.g. He strained his back during a practice session.
           他在一次锻炼中扭伤了背部。

8. 努力做;竭力做;费力做事
    If you strain to do something, you make a great effort to do it when it is difficult to do.

strain的反义词

    e.g. I had to strain to hear...
           我不得不使劲去听。
    e.g. Several thousand supporters strained to catch a glimpse of the new president...
           几千名支持者翘首企盼能一睹新总统的风采。

9. 过滤;滤掉(食物中)的液体
    When you strain food, you separate the liquid part of it from the solid parts.

    e.g. Strain the stock and put it back into the pan.
           滤出原汁，将它放回到平底锅中。

10. 气质;特性;风格;作风
    You can use strain to refer to a particular quality in someone's character, remarks, or work.

    e.g. There was a strain of bitterness in his voice.
           他的声音听起来有些愤愤不平。
    e.g. ...this cynical strain in the book.
           该书中这种愤世嫉俗的意味

11. (病菌的)类型;(植物或其他有机物的)系，品系，品种
      A strain of a germ, plant, or other organism is a particular type of it.

      e.g. Every year new strains of influenza develop.
             每年都有新的流感病毒出现。
      e.g. ...a particularly beautiful strain of Swiss pansies.
             一种格外美丽的瑞士三色堇

12. 旋律;曲调
      If you hear the strains of music, you hear music being played.

strain的近义词

      e.g. She could hear the tinny strains of a chamber orchestra.
             她能听见室内管弦乐队尖细的旋律。

13. see also: eye strain;repetitive strain injury