1. the act of making great effort or exerting force
2. the process of filtering or separating substances

1. present participle of strain; making great effort or exerting force
2. filtering or separating liquid from solid matter
3. stretching or pulling something tightly

Examples

• She was straining to hear the conversation in the next room.
• The rope was straining under the heavy weight.
• He spent the morning straining the pasta water.
• The straining of the engine indicated it needed repair.
• After straining the soup, she served it hot.
• The athlete was straining every muscle to reach the finish line.
• The straining process removed all the lumps from the sauce.