Noun

stress (countable and uncountable; plural stresses)

1. (countable, physics) The internal distribution of force per unit area (pressure) within a body reacting to applied forces which causes strain or deformation and is typically symbolised by σ
2. (countable, physics) externally applied to a body which cause internal stress within the body.
3. (uncountable) Emotional pressure suffered by a human being or other animal.

   Go easy on him, he's been under a lot of stress lately.

4. (uncountable, phonetics) The emphasis placed on a syllable of a word.

   Some people put the stress on the first syllable of “controversy”; others put it on the second.

5. (uncountable) Emphasis placed on words in speaking.
6. (uncountable) Emphasis placed on a particular point in an argument or discussion (whether spoken or written).

Synonyms

• (phonetics): accent, emphasis
• (on words in speaking): emphasis
• (on a point): emphasis

Stress

Stress may refer to:

Mechanical

• Stress (mechanics), the average amount of force exerted per unit area. It is the internal resistance a material offers to being deformed and is measured in terms of the applied load. The effects of mechanical stress on a polymer can be measured using dynamic mechanical analysis.
• Compressive stress, the stress applied to materials resulting in their compaction. It is the ability of a material to resist being crushed.
• Tensile stress (also referred to as tension) is the stress state leading to expansion.
• Yield stress, the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically.