# tensile

/ˈtɛnsəɫ/ (US) · /tˈɛnsaɪl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tensile
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

strong enough to be pulled without breaking. You use this to describe materials like steel or rope that can handle a lot of force.

For teachers: capable of being stretched without breaking; relating to the strength of a material under tension.

## Examples

- Steel is a very strong and tensile material.
- The bridge was designed using high-tensile steel to ensure it could handle the heavy traffic without sagging.
- Engineers must calculate the tensile strength of the cables to ensure the suspension bridge remains stable during extreme weather conditions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.