strand
strand Lexical Profile
strand Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A single thin length of something such as thread, fiber, wire, or hair, especially when twisted together with others to form a rope, cable, or yarn.
"She carefully tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before addressing the audience."
An element, component, or recurring theme that forms part of a complex whole, such as a narrative, argument, or historical development.
"The historian wove together several distinct strands of evidence to explain the economic collapse."
The shore or beach of a sea, lake, or large river, situated between the high and low water marks.
"At low tide, local residents walked along the sandy strand collecting driftwood and seashells."
• verb
To leave someone or something in a helpless or isolated position without the means to move from a place.
"The sudden blizzard threatened to strand hundreds of travelers at the mountain airport overnight."
To drive or leave a boat, ship, or marine animal aground on a shore or shallow bank.
"Strong coastal currents can easily strand migrating whales on the shallow sandbars."
North American To leave a base runner on base at the end of an inning without scoring (in baseball).
"The pitcher managed to strike out the final batter and strand two runners in scoring position."
• Rhymes for strand
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The word represents two distinct etymological roots: the sense meaning 'shore' or 'to leave aground' comes from Old English strand ('seashore'), while the sense meaning 'single fiber or thread' emerged in the late 15th century, likely from Old French estran ('rope, cord'), itself of Germanic origin.