to exert (a part of one's body) to the maximum
to wrench or sprain (a part of one's body) through over-exertion
to make great or excessive demands on (something)
a story that strains one's credulity
to stretch (fabric, etc) to maximum extension and tautness
literary to hug (somebody) tightly
Eliza … strained the child closer to her bosom — Harriet Beecher Stowe
to pass (a liquid) through a sieve or filter
(+ off) to separate or drain off (liquid) by this means
(+ out/out of) to remove (solid matter) from liquid by this means
to make strenuous efforts to do something; to strive
(often + at) to pull violently
to labour or struggle
to contract the muscles strenuously in attempting to pass faeces
strainable adj
[Middle English via Old French estreindre from Latin stringere to bind or draw tight, press together]