Tention vs. Tension — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 20, 2024
Tention is an incorrect spelling, while Tension, meaning the state of being stretched tight, is the accurate spelling and pertains to physical or mental strain.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Tention or Tension
How to spell Tension?
Tention
Incorrect Spelling
Tension
Correct Spelling
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Visualize a rubber band being in tension, the “s” shape could symbolize its stretched state.
Tension, with an “s,” is correct. Think of "tens" in "tension" relating to being stretched (like counting to ten while stretching a rubber band).
Remember "s" for "stretch" in "tension" to recall the right letter.
Associate "tension" with a tightly stretched "s"nake to remember the “s.”
How Do You Spell Tension Correctly?
Incorrect: The rope had a lot of tention and could snap at any moment.
Correct: The rope had a lot of tension and could snap at any moment.
ADVERTISEMENT
Incorrect: The tention in her muscles relaxed after the massage.
Correct: The tension in her muscles relaxed after the massage.
Incorrect: There's been a lot of tention between the two teams this season.
Correct: There's been a lot of tension between the two teams this season.
Incorrect: The movie was filled with scenes that created a lot of tention.
Correct: The movie was filled with scenes that created a lot of tension.
Incorrect: He could feel the tention in the room during the argument.
Correct: He could feel the tension in the room during the argument.
Tension Definitions
Mental or emotional strain.
He could feel the tension building inside him.
The state of being stretched tight.
The tension of the rope must be monitored.
The act or process of stretching something tight.
The condition of so being stretched; tautness.
A force tending to stretch or elongate something.
A measure of such a force
A tension on the cable of 50 pounds.
Mental, emotional, or nervous strain
Working under great tension to make a deadline.
Barely controlled hostility or a strained relationship between people or groups
The dangerous tension between opposing military powers.
A balanced relation between strongly opposing elements
"the continuing, and essential, tension between two of the three branches of government, judicial and legislative" (Haynes Johnson).
The interplay of conflicting elements in a piece of literature, especially a poem.
A device for regulating tautness, especially a device that controls the tautness of thread on a sewing machine or loom.
(Electricity) Voltage or potential; electromotive force.
To subject to tension; tighten.
The condition of being held in a state between two or more forces, which are acting in opposition to each other.
Psychological state of being tense.
A feeling of nervousness, excitement, or fear that is created in a movie, book, etc.; suspense.
State of an elastic object which is stretched in a way which increases its length.
Force transmitted through a rope, string, cable, or similar object (used with prepositions on, in, or of, e.g., "The tension in the cable is 1000 N", to convey that the same magnitude of force applies to objects attached to both ends).
Voltage. Usually only the terms low tension, high tension, and extra-high tension, and the abbreviations LT, HT, and EHT are used. They are not precisely defined; LT is normally a few volts, HT a few hundreds of volts, and EHT thousands of volts.
To place an object in tension, to pull or place strain on.
We tensioned the cable until it snapped.
The act of stretching or straining; the state of being stretched or strained to stiffness; the state of being bent strained; as, the tension of the muscles, tension of the larynx.
Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling; intense effort.
The degree of stretching to which a wire, cord, piece of timber, or the like, is strained by drawing it in the direction of its length; strain.
The force by which a part is pulled when forming part of any system in equilibrium or in motion; as, the tension of a srting supporting a weight equals that weight.
A device for checking the delivery of the thread in a sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required degree of tightness.
Expansive force; the force with which the particles of a body, as a gas, tend to recede from each other and occupy a larger space; elastic force; elasticity; as, the tension of vapor; the tension of air.
The quality in consequence of which an electric charge tends to discharge itself, as into the air by a spark, or to pass from a body of greater to one of less electrical potential. It varies as the quantity of electricity upon a given area.
Feelings of hostility that are not manifest;
He could sense her latent hostility to him
The diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions
(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense;
He suffered from fatigue and emotional tension
Stress is a vasoconstrictor
The physical condition of being stretched or strained;
It places great tension on the leg muscles
He could feel the tenseness of her body
A balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature);
There is a tension created between narrative time and movie time
There is a tension between these approaches to understanding history
(physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body;
The direction of maximum tension moves asymptotically toward the direction of the shear
The action of stretching something tight;
Tension holds the belt in the pulleys
A force created by pulling something tight or a situation where people disagree.
The tension in the room was palpable.
Pressure, or the state of being under strain.
Economic tensions are rising in the country.
Antagonism between individuals or groups; conflict.
Tensions were high among the rival teams.
Tension Meaning in a Sentence
She used yoga to release the tension in her back.
The suspenseful music increased the tension during the movie's climax.
He could cut the tension with a knife, it was so thick.
Adjusting the tension on the sewing machine can prevent the thread from breaking.
The tension on the guitar strings needs to be adjusted for better sound.
The tension in the air was palpable as the verdict was announced.
The diplomatic tension resulted in a series of meetings to find a resolution.
The tension between the characters adds depth to the novel.
A good leader knows how to ease tension within a team.
There has been ongoing tension between the two countries.
Physical exercises can help in reducing mental tension.
The tension rod is used to hold the curtains up without drilling into the wall.
The negotiations were marked by high tension from start to finish.
The rope bridge swayed under the tension of the weight.
To reduce eye tension, take regular breaks from the computer screen.
The tension in the springs determines how the mattress supports the body.
She felt a tension headache coming on after a long day at work.
The game was filled with tension, with both teams having a chance to win until the last minute.
Tension Idioms & Phrases
Cut the tension with a knife
Describes a situation so filled with tension that it feels almost tangible.
The tension in the room after the announcement was so thick, you could cut it with a knife.
Tension mounts
To describe a situation where the level of tension is increasing.
As the deadline approached, tension mounted among the team members.
Ease/Relieve the tension
To reduce or alleviate the tension in a situation.
The mediator was brought in to ease the tension between the disputing parties.
High tension
A state of extreme tension.
The negotiations were under high tension, with both sides unwilling to compromise.
Surface tension
A physical term describing the elastic tendency of a fluid surface, but sometimes used metaphorically to describe subtle tensions in social situations.
There was a surface tension in the meeting, as if everyone was carefully choosing their words.
Common Curiosities
What is the pronunciation of Tension?
/ˈten.ʃən/
Which vowel is used before Tension?
“a” as in "a tension."
What is the singular form of Tension?
Tension.
Which conjunction is used with Tension?
No specific conjunction is inherently paired with "tension."
What is the verb form of Tension?
Tense.
What is the root word of Tension?
Latin "tensio" from "tendere" (to stretch).
What is the plural form of Tension?
Tensions.
Is Tension an abstract noun?
Yes.
Is Tension a negative or positive word?
Neutral, context determines positivity or negativity.
Is Tension a noun or adjective?
Noun.
Why is it called Tension?
Tension comes from the Latin "tensio," referring to stretching or strain, symbolizing physical or metaphorical stretching/strain.
What is a stressed syllable in Tension?
"Ten" is stressed.
What part of speech is Tension?
Noun.
What is the opposite of Tension?
Relaxation or ease.
Which preposition is used with Tension?
"In" as in "in tension."
Is Tension an adverb?
No.
Is Tension a collective noun?
No.
Is the Tension term a metaphor?
It can be used metaphorically.
Is the word Tension imperative?
No, it’s a noun.
Is Tension a countable noun?
Yes.
How many syllables are in Tension?
Two.
How is Tension used in a sentence?
The tension in the room was palpable after the argument.
Which article is used with Tension?
"The" or "a" depending on context.
Is the word “Tension” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be either, depending on sentence construction.
How do we divide Tension into syllables?
Ten-sion.
Which determiner is used with Tension?
"The" or "this" can be used, depending on context.
What is the first form of Tension?
Tension is a noun and does not have verb forms.
Is Tension a vowel or consonant?
Tension is a word, not a vowel or consonant.
Is the word Tension a Gerund?
No.
What is another term for Tension?
Stress or strain.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Greating vs. Greeting
Next Comparison
Gorgous vs. GorgeousAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
