string

[ string ]

/ strɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR string ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a slender cord or thick thread used for binding or tying; line.

something resembling a cord or thread.

Also called cosmic string. Physics. a mathematical entity used to represent elementary particles, as gravitons, quarks, or leptons, in terms of a small but finite stringlike object existing in the four dimensions of spacetime and in additional, hypothetical, spacelike dimensions. The theory of such objects (string theory) avoids the many mathematical difficulties that arise from treating particles as points.

a narrow strip of flexible material, as cloth or leather, for tying parts together: the strings of a bonnet.

a necklace consisting of a number of beads, pearls, or the like threaded or strung on a cord; strand: She wore a double string of pearls.

any series of things arranged or connected in a line or following closely one after another: a string of islands; a string of questions.

a series of railroad cars coupled together but not constituting an entire train.

Journalism. a compilation of clippings of a stringer's published writings, submitted in request of payment according to an agreed space rate.

a group of animals, especially saddle horses, owned or used by one person: a string of polo ponies.

(in a musical instrument) a tightly stretched cord or wire that produces a tone when caused to vibrate, as by plucking, striking, or friction of a bow.

strings,

stringed instruments, especially those played with a bow.
players on such instruments in an orchestra or band.

a bowstring.

a cord or fiber in a plant.

the tough piece uniting the two parts of a pod: the strings of beans.

Architecture.

a stringcourse.
Also called stringer. one of the sloping sides of a stair, supporting the treads and risers.

Computers, Linguistics. a linear sequence of symbols, words, characters, or bits that is treated as a unit.

Billiards, Pool.

a stroke made by each player from the head of the table to the opposite cushion and back, to determine, by means of the resultant positions of the cue balls, who shall open the game.
Also called string line. a line from behind which the cue ball is placed after being out of play.

a complement of contestants or players grouped as a squad in accordance with their skill: He made the second string on the football team.

Usually strings. conditions or limitations on a proposal: a generous offer with no strings attached.

Obsolete. a ligament, nerve, or the like in an animal body.

verb (used with object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

to furnish with or as with a string or strings: to string a bonnet; to string a bow.

to extend or stretch (a cord, thread, etc.) from one point to another.

to thread on or as on a string: to string beads.

to connect in or as in a line; arrange in a series or succession: She knows how to string words together.

Music.

to adjust the string of (a bow) or tighten the strings of (a musical instrument) to the required pitch.
to equip (a bow or instrument) with new strings.

to provide or adorn with something suspended or slung: a room strung with festoons.

to deprive of a string or strings; strip the strings from: to string beans.

to make tense, as the sinews, nerves, mind, etc.

to kill by hanging (usually followed by up).

Slang. to fool or hoax.

verb (used without object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

to form into or move in a string or series: The ideas string together coherently.

to form into a string or strings, as a glutinous substance does when pulled: Good taffy doesn't break—it strings.

Verb Phrases

string along, Informal.

to be in agreement; follow with confidence: He found he couldn't string along with all their modern notions.
to keep (a person) waiting or in a state of uncertainty.
to deceive; cheat; trick.

string out,

to extend; stretch out: The parade strung out for miles.
to prolong: The promised three days strung out to six weeks.

Idioms for string

on a/the string, Informal. subject to the whim of another; in one's power; dependent: After keeping me on a string for two months, they finally hired someone else.

pull strings/wires,

to use one's influence or authority, usually in secret, in order to bring about a desired result.
to gain or attempt to gain one's objectives by means of influential friends, associates, etc.: He had his uncle pull strings to get him a promotion.

Origin of string

before 900; (noun) Middle English string, streng, Old English streng; cognate with Dutch streng, German Strang; akin to Latin stringere to bind; (v.) late Middle English stringen to string a bow, derivative of the noun

OTHER WORDS FROM string

string·less, adjective string·like, adjective re·string, verb, re·strung, re·string·ing.

Words nearby string

striking train, strimmer, strimon, strindberg, strine, string, string along, string bag, string band, string bass, string bean

Example sentences from the Web for strings

Paper flags of countries that have fought for freedom hang on strings from the ceiling like nationalist Christmas lights.

Scotland’s ‘Yes’ Campaign and the Myth of Scottish Equality |Noah Caldwell |September 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The last time the debt limit was raised, this past February, Boehner agreed in the end to do it with no strings attached.

On Border, a Huge Win for the Hard Right |Michael Tomasky |August 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, Iran is offering Iraq everything and anything they need to fight ISIS with no strings attached.

Obama’s Favorite Think Tank: We Should Prepare to Bomb Iraq |Josh Rogin |June 17, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
I could turn the nails and tune the strings like that, you see.

Stanley Booth on the Life and Hard Times of Blues Genius Furry Lewis |Stanley Booth |June 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

At times, he slapped the guitar box with two fingers or the heel of his hand as, in the same motion, he brushed the strings.

Stanley Booth on the Life and Hard Times of Blues Genius Furry Lewis |Stanley Booth |June 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He was of opinion that he ought to have two strings to his bow.

A History of England Principally in the Seventeenth Century, Volume I (of 6) |Leopold von Ranke
Stradella's heart beat fast and faintly, and his fingers trembled when they touched the strings and made the first minor chord.

Stradella |F(rancis) Marion Crawford
If I laughed she would tell me no more, yet if I took her too seriously the strings would tighten further.

Incredible Adventures |Algernon Blackwood
"I know—the 'Trumerei,'" nodded Marcia, and once more laid her bow across the strings.

The Girl Next Door |Augusta Huiell Seaman
There were loaves of stale bread, bunches of onions and strings of sausages behind the small window-panes.

Under Western Eyes |Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for strings

string

/ (strɪŋ) /

noun

a thin length of cord, twine, fibre, or similar material used for tying, hanging, binding, etc

a group of objects threaded on a single strand a string of beads

a series or succession of things, events, acts, utterances, etc a string of oaths

a number, chain, or group of similar things, animals, etc, owned by or associated with one person or body a string of girlfriends

a tough fibre or cord in a plant the string of an orange; the string of a bean

music a tightly stretched wire, cord, etc, found on stringed instruments, such as the violin, guitar, and piano

short for bowstring

architect short for string course, stringer (def. 1)

maths linguistics a sequence of symbols or words

linguistics a linear sequence, such as a sentence as it is spoken

physics a one-dimensional entity postulated to be a fundamental component of matter in some theories of particle physics See also cosmic string

billiards another word for lag 1 (def. 6)

a group of characters that can be treated as a unit by a computer program

(plural) complications or conditions (esp in the phrase no strings attached)

(modifier) composed of stringlike strands woven in a large mesh a string bag; string vest

keep on a string to have control or a hold over (a person), esp emotionally

pull strings informal to exert personal influence, esp secretly or unofficially

pull the strings to have real or ultimate control of something

second string a person or thing regarded as a secondary source of strength

the strings (plural)

violins, violas, cellos, and double basses collectively
the section of a symphony orchestra constituted by such instruments

verb strings, stringing or strung (strʌŋ)

(tr) to provide with a string or strings

(tr) to suspend or stretch from one point to another

(tr) to thread on a string

(tr) to form or extend in a line or series

(foll by out) to space or spread out at intervals

(tr usually foll by up) informal to kill (a person) by hanging

(tr) to remove the stringy parts from (vegetables, esp beans)

(intr) (esp of viscous liquids) to become stringy or ropey

(tr often foll by up) to cause to be tense or nervous

billiards another word for lag 1 (def. 3)

Derived forms of string

stringlike, adjective

Word Origin for string

Old English streng; related to Old High German strang, Old Norse strengr; see strong

Cultural definitions for strings

strings

A section of the orchestra containing the stringed musical instruments — those played by making stretched strings vibrate. In most stringed instruments, the musician draws a bow over the strings; violins, violas, cellos, and bass viols are played in this way. Other stringed instruments are played by plucking the strings; these include the banjo, guitar, harp, harpsichord, and ukulele.

Idioms and Phrases with strings

string

In addition to the idioms beginning with string

string along
string out
strings attached
string together
string up

also see:

harp on (one string)
no strings attached
on a shoestring
on a string
pull strings
purse strings
tied to apron strings
two strings to one's bow

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

string

noun

verb (used with object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

verb (used without object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

Verb Phrases

Idioms for string

Origin of string

OTHER WORDS FROM string

Words nearby string

Example sentences from the Web for strings

British Dictionary definitions for strings

noun

verb strings, stringing or strung (strʌŋ)

Derived forms of string

Word Origin for string

Cultural definitions for strings

Idioms and Phrases with strings

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

string

noun

verb (used with object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

verb (used without object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

Verb Phrases

Idioms for string

Origin of string

OTHER WORDS FROM string

Words nearby string

Words related to strings

Example sentences from the Web for strings

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for strings

noun

verb strings, stringing or strung (strʌŋ)

Derived forms of string

Word Origin for string

Cultural definitions for strings

Idioms and Phrases with strings

British Dictionary definitions for strings