How to pronounce tension
Say it like TEN-shun. Tension has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tension. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TEN
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tension pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tension
American and British speakers say tension in essentially the same way: /ˈtɛnʃən/ in the US and /ˈtɛnʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: TEN-shun.
What does tension mean?
- (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”
Where does tension come from?
Borrowed from Middle French tension, from Latin tēnsiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tension
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tension.
Questions about saying tension
How do you pronounce tension?
Say TEN-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛnʃən/. In British English it is /ˈtɛnʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tension?
Tension has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEN). Broken into parts: TEN · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say tension the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɛnʃən/ and the British form is /ˈtɛnʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.