Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense strings, present participle stringing, past tense, past participle strung
1. variable noun
String is thin rope made of twisted threads, used for tying things together or tying up parcels.
He held out a small bag tied with string.
...a shiny metallic coin on a string.
Synonyms: cord, yarn, twine, wire More Synonyms of string
2. countable noun
A stringof things is a number of them on a piece of string, thread, or wire.
She wore a string of pearls around her neck. [+ of]
...a string of fairy lights. [+ of]
Synonyms: necklace, strand, rope, rosary More Synonyms of string
3. countable noun [usually singular]
A stringof places or objects is a number of them that form a line.
The landscape is broken only by a string of villages. [+ of]
A string of five rowing boats set out from the opposite bank. [+ of]
Synonyms: series, line, row, file More Synonyms of string
4. countable noun [usually singular]
A stringof similar events is a series of them that happen one after the other.
The incident was the latest in a string of attacks. [+ of]
Between 1940 and 1943 he had a string of 62 consecutive victories.
Synonyms: sequence, run, series, chain More Synonyms of string
5. countable noun
The strings on a musical instrument such as a violin or guitar are the thin pieces of wire ornylon stretched across it that make sounds when the instrument is played.
He went off to change a guitar string.
...a twenty-one-string harp.
6. plural noun [oft NOUN noun]
Thestrings are the section of an orchestra which consists of stringed instruments played with a bow.
The strings provided a melodic background to the passages played by the soloist.
There was a 20-member string section.
7. countable noun
In computing, a string is a particular series of letters, numbers, symbols, or spaces, for example a wordor phrase that you want to search for in a document.
8. verb
If you string something somewhere, you hang it up between two or more objects.
He had strung a banner across the wall. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: hang, stretch, suspend, sling More Synonyms of string
String up means the same as string.
People were stringing up decorations on the fronts of their homes. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
[Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
9. See also highly strung, purse strings, second string, strung out
10.
See a string to one's bow
11.
See no strings
12.
See to pull strings
13. apron strings
Phrasal verbs:
See string along
See string together
See string up
More Synonyms of string
string in British English
(strɪŋ)
noun
1.
a thin length of cord, twine, fibre, or similar material used for tying, hanging, binding, etc
2.
a group of objects threaded on a single strand
a string of beads
3.
a series or succession of things, events, acts, utterances, etc
a string of oaths
4.
a number, chain, or group of similar things, animals, etc, owned by or associated with one personor body
a string of girlfriends
5.
a tough fibre or cord in a plant
the string of an orange
the string of a bean
6. music
a tightly stretched wire, cord, etc, found on stringed instruments, such as the violin, guitar, and piano
7. short for bowstring
8. architecture short for stringcourse, stringer (sense 1)
9. mathematics, linguistics
a sequence of symbols or words
10. linguistics
a linear sequence, such as a sentence as it is spoken
11. physics
a one-dimensional entity postulated to be a fundamental component of matter in some theories of particle physics
See also cosmic string
12. billiards another word for lag1 (sense 6)
13.
a group of characters that can be treated as a unit by a computer program
14. (plural)
complications or conditions (esp in the phrase no strings attached)
15. (modifier)
composed of stringlike strands woven in a large mesh
a string bag
a string vest
16. keep on a string
17. pull strings
18. pull the strings
19. second string
20. the strings
verbWord forms: strings, stringing or strung (strʌŋ)
21. (transitive)
to provide with a string or strings
22. (transitive)
to suspend or stretch from one point to another
23. (transitive)
to thread on a string
24. (transitive)
to form or extend in a line or series
25. (foll by out)
to space or spread out at intervals
26. (transitive; usually foll byup) informal
to kill (a person) by hanging
27. (transitive)
to remove the stringy parts from (vegetables, esp beans)
28. (intransitive)
(esp of viscous liquids) to become stringy or ropey
29. (transitive; often foll byup)
to cause to be tense or nervous
30. billiards another word for lag1 (sense 3)
Derived forms
stringlike (ˈstringˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
Old English streng; related to Old High German strang, Old Norse strengr; see strong
string in American English
(strɪŋ)
noun
1.
a.
a thin line of twisted fiber used for tying, pulling, fastening, etc.; slender cord or thick thread
b.
a narrow strip of leather or cloth for fastening shoes, clothing, etc.; lace
apron strings
2.
a length or loop of like things threaded, strung, or hung on a string
a string of pearls
3.
a.
a number of things arranged in a line or row
a string of houses
b.
any series of things in close or uninterrupted succession
a string of victories
4.
a.
a number of racehorses belonging to one owner
b.
a number of business enterprises under one ownership or management
a string of gift shops
5. US
any of the groupings of players on a team according to ability the first string is more skilled than the second string, etc.
6.
a.
a slender cord of wire, gut, nylon, etc. stretched on a musical instrument and bowed, plucked, or struck to make a musical sound
b. [pl.]
all the stringed instruments of an orchestra, quintet, etc. played with a bow
c. [pl.]
the players of such instruments
7.
a strong, slender organ, structure, etc. resembling a string
; specif.,
a. Archaic
an animal nerve or tendon
b.
a fiber of a plant, esp. one connecting the two halves of a bean pod
8. US, Informal
a condition, limitation, or proviso attached to a plan, offer, donation, etc.
usually used in pl.
9. Architecture
a.
one of the inclined boards under a stairs, notched to support the treads and risers
b.
stringcourse
10. US, Billiards
a.
a line indicated but unmarked across the table at one end, from behind which the cue ball must be played after being out of play
: in full string line
b.
the act of stroking the cue ball so that it rebounds from the far cushion to stop as close as possible to the string line, for determining the order of play
11. Particle Physics
in string theory, any of various extremely tiny, one-dimensional, vibrating stringlike particles thought to be the basic units of matter
verb transitiveWord forms: strung or ˈstringing
12.
to fit or provide with a string or strings
to string a longbow, a violin, etc.
13.
to thread or bead on a string
14.
to tie, pull, fasten, hang, lace, etc. with a string or strings
15.
to adjust or tune the strings of (a musical instrument) by tightening, etc.
16.
to make tense, nervous, or keyed (up)
17.
to remove the strings from (beans, etc.)
18.
to arrange or set forth in a row or successive series
19.
to stretch or extend like a string
to string a cable
verb intransitive
20.
to form into a string or strings
21.
to stretch out in a line; extend; stretch; move or progress in a string
22.
to serve as a stringer (for a newspaper, magazine, etc.)
23. Billiards
lag1 (sense 4)
adjective
24.
of or composed for stringed instruments
string quartet
Idioms:
on a string
pull strings
string along
string up
Derived forms
stringless (ˈstringless)
adjective
Word origin
ME streng < OE, akin to Ger strang: see strong
More idioms containing
string
have another string to your bow
have someone on a string
Examples of 'string' in a sentence
string
The departure of the two heavyweight props will enable the purse strings to be loosened.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
What ensued inside the auditorium was a string of numbers sprung from a highly eclectic sensibility.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This gives me another string to my bow.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They should also provide a string of romantic surprises throughout the day.
The Sun (2012)
The other two works benefit from a live string orchestra on stage.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You can make your own line from any long piece of string.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Three-quarters of pupils studied triple sciences and all learn a string instrument to orchestra standard.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This kind of silver forms fine strings and sheets rather than nuggets.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
Tie with string and hang over the side of the pan.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
With acoustic guitars and soaring string sections.
The Sun (2006)
He had guitars made for him with just five strings.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
An electricity grid under the sea means fewer power lines strung across the countryside.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Two strings to the bow are better than one.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Tie them together using string rope or rags.
The Sun (2014)
He let himself down the hedge with a long thin bit of string.
Beatrix Potter The Tales of Beatrix Potter (1930)
He is such an important player for them and pulls so many strings in the middle ofthe park.
The Sun (2011)
They now need to string together a series of festive wins to stay within striking distance of the top four.
The Sun (2012)
Other activists strung up a banner.
The Sun (2013)
True, it was a dead rubber of a game and it was a second string.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Some people might be surprised at the string section, pianos and orchestral influences.
The Sun (2009)
The striker bagged a string of goals that allowed Stoke to get to the comfort zone.
The Sun (2009)
In other languages
string
British English: string /strɪŋ/ NOUN
for parcelString is thin rope that is made of twisted threads.
He held out a small bag tied with string.
American English: string
Arabic: سِلْك
Brazilian Portuguese: barbante
Chinese: 线
Croatian: uže
Czech: provázek
Danish: streng
Dutch: koord
European Spanish: cordel
Finnish: naru
French: corde
German: Schnur
Greek: σπάγγος
Italian: spago
Japanese: ひも
Korean: 끈
Norwegian: snor
Polish: sznurek
European Portuguese: fio
Romanian: sfoară
Russian: веревка
Latin American Spanish: cuerda
Swedish: snöre
Thai: เชือก
Turkish: ip
Ukrainian: мотузка
Vietnamese: sợi dây
British English: string /strɪŋ/ NOUN
musical instrument The strings on an instrument are the thin pieces of wire that are stretched across it and that make sounds when the instrument is played.
He changed a guitar string.
American English: string
Arabic: وَتَر
Brazilian Portuguese: corda
Chinese: 弦
Croatian: žica
Czech: struna
Danish: streng
Dutch: snaar
European Spanish: cuerda
Finnish: kieli
French: cordeinstrument de musique
German: Saite
Greek: χορδή
Italian: corda
Japanese: 弦
Korean: 줄
Norwegian: streng
Polish: struna
European Portuguese: corda
Romanian: coardă
Russian: струна
Latin American Spanish: cuerda
Swedish: sträng
Thai: สายบนเครื่องดนตรี
Turkish: tel
Ukrainian: струна
Vietnamese: dây
All related terms of 'string'
G-string
A G-string is a narrow band of cloth that is worn between a person's legs to cover their sexual organs , and that is held up by a narrow string round the waist .
re-string
to thread onto a new string
string up
To string someone up means to kill them by hanging them.
cut string
a board on both sides of a staircase that is cut to support the treads and risers
open string
a string , such as a violin or guitar string, which is not stopped with the finger
string bag
an openwork bag made of string , esp. one with handles
string band
a band consisting of stringed instruments
string bass
→ double bass
string bean
String beans are long, very narrow green vegetables consisting of the cases that contain the seeds of a climbing plant.
string line
a straight line across a billiard table behind which the cue balls are placed at the start of a game
string tie
a very narrow tie , usually tied in a bow
apron string
a string for tying an apron on
casing string
A casing string is a series of lengths of steel pipe which are fitted together and put into a well .
cosmic string
a one-dimensional defect in space-time postulated in certain theories of cosmology to exist in the universe as a consequence of the big bang
drill string
(in the oil industry ) a pipe made of lengths of steel tubing that is attached to the drilling tool and rotates during drilling to form a bore
first string
the top player of a team in an individual sport , such as squash
glass string
the string of a kite used in kite fighting that has an abrasive coating of glue and crushed glass
second string
If you describe a person or thing as someone's second string , you mean that they are only used if another person or thing is not available .
string along
If you string someone along , you deceive them by letting them believe you have the same desires, beliefs, or hopes as them.
string bikini
a skimpy bikini having often a triangular covering part held in place by narrow, string-like ties
string player
a person who plays an instrument of the violin family
string-puller
a person who uses his or her influence with other people to get things done , often unfairly
string theory
a branch of theoretical physics
on a string
completely under one's control or subject to one's whims
string-pulling
the use of one's influence with other people to get things done , often unfairly
string quartet
A string quartet is a group of four musicians who play stringed instruments together . The instruments are two violins, a viola, and a cello.
string together
If you string things together , you form something from them by adding them to each other, one at a time.
string variable
data on which arithmetical operations will not be performed
character string
a series of characters that can be manipulated as a group, but do not necessarily represent anything
production string
A production string is the series of pipes through which the oil or gas is brought up from the reservoir .
string instrument
a musical instrument that has strings , such as the violin or cello
string orchestra
an orchestra consisting only of violins , violas , cellos , and double basses
keep on a string
to have control or a hold over (someone), esp emotionally
string correspondent
a journalist retained by a newspaper or news service on a part-time basis to cover a particular town or area
drawstring
A drawstring is a cord that goes through an opening, for example at the top of a bag or a pair of trousers . When the cord is pulled tighter, the opening gets smaller.
have someone on a string
to make someone do whatever you want , because you control them completely
have another string to your bow
to have more than one useful skill , ability , or thing that you can use in case you are unsuccessful with the first skill, ability, or thing. In this expression , ` bow ' is pronounced with the same vowel sound as the word `show'.
baulkline
a straight line across a billiard table behind which the cue balls are placed at the start of a game
scarlet runner
a climbing perennial bean plant, Phaseolus multiflorus (or P . coccineus ), of tropical America, having scarlet flowers: widely cultivated for its long green edible pods containing edible seeds
scarlet runner bean
a climbing perennial bean plant, Phaseolus multiflorus (or P . coccineus ), of tropical America, having scarlet flowers: widely cultivated for its long green edible pods containing edible seeds
a string to one's bow another string to your bow
If someone has more than one string to their bow , they have more than one ability or thing they can use if the first one they try is not successful .
Chinese translation of 'string'
string
(strɪŋ)
Word forms:ptppstrung
n
(c/u)细(細)绳(繩) (xìshéng) (根, gēn)
(c)[of beads, onions]串 (chuàn)
(c)[of islands]一系列 (yīxìliè)
(c)[of disasters, excuses]一连(連)串 (yīliánchuàn)
(c) (Comput) 字符串 (zìfúchuàn)
(c) (on guitar, violin) 弦 (xián) (根, gēn)
vt
to string sth across sth把某物挂(掛)在某物上 (bǎ mǒuwù guà zài mǒuwù shang)
to pull strings运(運)用影响(響)以达(達)目的 (yùnyòng yǐngxiǎng yǐ dá mùdì)
with no strings (attached)不加附带(帶)条(條)件 (bù jiā fùdài tiáojiàn)