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Definition of tensile

tensile

/ˈtɛn.səl/
ten · sile
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tensile Lexical Profile

tensile Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Capable of being drawn out, stretched, or extended without breaking.

Example

"Spider silk is prized in biomimicry research because it is remarkably light, tough, and tensile."

2

Relating to or involving mechanical tension, especially the resistance of a material to breaking under pulling forces.

Example

"Engineers tested the high tensile strength of the steel cables before approving them for the suspension bridge."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for tensile

• Nearby Words

tensely
tenseness
tensift
tensile
tension
tent
tentacle

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 17th century from Medieval Latin tensilis ('capable of being stretched'), from Latin tensus, the past participle of tendere ('to stretch').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tensile. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tensile
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