Tention vs. Tension — What's the Difference?
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=40)
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 12, 2023
Tention is an incorrect spelling, while Tension, meaning the state of being stretched tight, is the accurate spelling and pertains to physical or mental strain.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/images/tention-vs-tension-143229.webp)
Which is correct: Tention or Tension
How to spell Tension?
![](https://www.askdifference.com/assets/images/incorrect.webp)
Tention
Incorrect Spelling
![](https://www.askdifference.com/assets/images/correct.webp)
Tension
Correct Spelling
Difference Between Tention and Tension
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Visualize a rubber band being in tension, the “s” shape could symbolize its stretched state.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
Tension, with an “s,” is correct. Think of "tens" in "tension" relating to being stretched (like counting to ten while stretching a rubber band).
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
Remember "s" for "stretch" in "tension" to recall the right letter.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
Associate "tension" with a tightly stretched "s"nake to remember the “s.”
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
Definitions
ADVERTISEMENT
Tension
Mental or emotional strain.
He could feel the tension building inside him.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Tension
The state of being stretched tight.
The tension of the rope must be monitored.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Tension
Mental, emotional, or nervous strain
Working under great tension to make a deadline.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
Barely controlled hostility or a strained relationship between people or groups
The dangerous tension between opposing military powers.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
A balanced relation between strongly opposing elements
"the continuing, and essential, tension between two of the three branches of government, judicial and legislative" (Haynes Johnson).
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
The interplay of conflicting elements in a piece of literature, especially a poem.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
A device for regulating tautness, especially a device that controls the tautness of thread on a sewing machine or loom.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
The condition of being held in a state between two or more forces, which are acting in opposition to each other.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
A feeling of nervousness, excitement, or fear that is created in a movie, book, etc.; suspense.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
State of an elastic object which is stretched in a way which increases its length.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
Force transmitted through a rope, string, cable, or similar object (used with prepositions on, in, or of, e.g., "The tension in the cable is 1000 N", to convey that the same magnitude of force applies to objects attached to both ends).
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
Voltage. Usually only the terms low tension, high tension, and extra-high tension, and the abbreviations LT, HT, and EHT are used. They are not precisely defined; LT is normally a few volts, HT a few hundreds of volts, and EHT thousands of volts.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
To place an object in tension, to pull or place strain on.
We tensioned the cable until it snapped.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
The act of stretching or straining; the state of being stretched or strained to stiffness; the state of being bent strained; as, the tension of the muscles, tension of the larynx.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling; intense effort.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
The degree of stretching to which a wire, cord, piece of timber, or the like, is strained by drawing it in the direction of its length; strain.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
The force by which a part is pulled when forming part of any system in equilibrium or in motion; as, the tension of a srting supporting a weight equals that weight.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
A device for checking the delivery of the thread in a sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required degree of tightness.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
Expansive force; the force with which the particles of a body, as a gas, tend to recede from each other and occupy a larger space; elastic force; elasticity; as, the tension of vapor; the tension of air.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
The quality in consequence of which an electric charge tends to discharge itself, as into the air by a spark, or to pass from a body of greater to one of less electrical potential. It varies as the quantity of electricity upon a given area.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
Feelings of hostility that are not manifest;
He could sense her latent hostility to him
The diplomats' first concern was to reduce international tensions
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense;
He suffered from fatigue and emotional tension
Stress is a vasoconstrictor
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
The physical condition of being stretched or strained;
It places great tension on the leg muscles
He could feel the tenseness of her body
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
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
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
(physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body;
The direction of maximum tension moves asymptotically toward the direction of the shear
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
The action of stretching something tight;
Tension holds the belt in the pulleys
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 03, 2023
Tension
A force created by pulling something tight or a situation where people disagree.
The tension in the room was palpable.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Tension
Pressure, or the state of being under strain.
Economic tensions are rising in the country.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Tension
Antagonism between individuals or groups; conflict.
Tensions were high among the rival teams.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
FAQs
Which conjunction is used with Tension?
No specific conjunction is inherently paired with "tension."
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
What is the root word of Tension?
Latin "tensio" from "tendere" (to stretch).
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
Is Tension a negative or positive word?
Neutral, context determines positivity or negativity.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
Why is it called Tension?
Tension comes from the Latin "tensio," referring to stretching or strain, symbolizing physical or metaphorical stretching/strain.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
How is Tension used in a sentence?
The tension in the room was palpable after the argument.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
Is the word “Tension” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be either, depending on sentence construction.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
Which determiner is used with Tension?
"The" or "this" can be used, depending on context.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
What is the first form of Tension?
Tension is a noun and does not have verb forms.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
Is Tension a vowel or consonant?
Tension is a word, not a vowel or consonant.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Oct 12, 2023
Author Spotlight
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=64)
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/e71d67b1aba47c9e5bd8eb22e21c1ed5.webp?s=64)
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.