Tensile

Definition

Tensile describes the property of a material that allows it to withstand tension or to be stretched; relating to tension. It is often used in the context of mechanical strength and material science.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ˈtɛnsaɪl/
• Respelling: TEN-syle

British English

• IPA: /ˈtɛnsaɪl/
• Respelling: TEN-syle

Etymology

Mid 19th century: from Latin tēnsilis ‘that may be stretched,’ from tendere ‘to stretch, strain.’

Derivatives

• tensility (noun)
• tensional (adjective)
• tensilely (adverb)

Synonyms

• ductile
• extensible
• stretchable
• pliable
• elastic

Antonyms

• inelastic
• rigid
• brittle
• stiff

Usage

"Engineers measured the tensile strength of the steel cable before installation."

"The fabric’s tensile properties make it ideal for outdoor tents."

Related Terms

• Tension: The force exerted by stretching.
• Tensile strength: The maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched.
• Compression: The force applied to compress or squeeze.
• Ductility: The ability to deform under tensile stress.
• Elasticity: The ability to return to original shape after deformation.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Capable of being stretched under tension – able to endure stretching forces without breaking.
  • Example: "The cable’s tensile wires allowed it to span the river without sagging."
• Relating to tension in mechanical contexts – describing tests or measurements that apply pulling forces to evaluate material performance.
  • Example: "They conducted tensile tests to evaluate the metal’s performance."
• Characterized by the ability to resist being pulled apart – having strength to withstand forces that attempt to separate the material.
  • Example: "High-tensile bolts are used in load-bearing structures."