force (a part of one's body or oneself) to make an unusually great effort

I stopped and listened, straining my ears for any sound

pour (a mainly liquid substance) through a porous or perforated device or material in order to separate out any solid matter

strain the custard into a bowl

a force tending to pull or stretch something to an extreme or damaging degree

the usual type of chair puts an enormous strain on the spine

aluminium may bend under strain

a severe or excessive demand on the strength, resources, or abilities of someone or something

the accusations put a strain on relations between the two countries

she's under considerable strain

the sound of a piece of music

the distant strains of the brass band grew louder

a particular breed, stock, or variety of an animal or plant

a particular tendency as part of a person's character

there's a strain of Victorian rectitude in him