strain

noun C1 Academic

Meaning

A strain refers to a specific variant or subtype of an organism, particularly in the context of microbiology and genetics, where it denotes a genetically distinct lineage within a species that exhibits particular characteristics or behaviors, often in rel

💡 While "strain" is often used interchangeably with "type" or "variant," it is important to recognize that "strain" implies a level of genetic differentiation that may have significant implications for research and treatment.

Example Sentences

The constant strain at work affected her health significantly .

The experiment measured the strain on materials under different stress levels .

The project caused a significant strain on the company ’ s resources .

The strain on resources increased due to the rapid population growth .

Word in Context

In the quiet lab , Mara spent the morning comparing two bacterial cultures that appeared similar at first glance . Under the microscope she noticed a distinct strain that showed slightly different motility and seemed to metabolize the sugar more rapidly . She recorded her observations carefully , aware that a subtle variation could explain the unexpected behavior in the fermentation trials . Later she discussed the notes with colleagues and they agreed to sequence the isolate to confirm whether the difference reflected an adaptive mutation or simple contamination . By evening the team felt reassured that routine monitoring and modest adjustments to the protocol would likely restore consistent results .

Common Phrases

genetic strain pathogenic strain strain variation

Synonyms

Related Words

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