string

Pronunciation: /strɪŋ/

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Definition of string

noun

1 [mass noun] material consisting of threads of cotton, hemp, or other material twisted together to form a thin length: unwieldy packs tied up with string
[count noun] a piece of string used to tie round or attach to something: the elephant mask had a trunk you could raise by pulling a string
[count noun] a piece of catgut or similar material interwoven with others to form the head of a sports racket.
[count noun] a length of catgut or wire on a musical instrument, producing a note by vibration: the D string broke
(strings) the stringed instruments in an orchestra: the blend of the wind-group is less perfect than that of the strings
[as modifier] relating to or consisting of stringed instruments:a string quartet

2a set of things tied or threaded together on a thin cord:she wore a string of agates round her throat
a sequence of similar items or events:a string of burglaries
Computing a linear sequence of characters, words, or other data.
a group of racehorses trained at one stable.
a reserve team or player holding a specified position in an order of preference:the village team held Rangers' second string to a 0-0 draw
a player assigned a specified rank in a team in an individual sport such as squash:Taylor lost to third string Baines

3a tough piece of fibre in vegetables, meat, or other food, such as a tough elongated piece connecting the two halves of a bean pod.

4a G-string or thong.

5short for stringboard.

6 Physics a hypothetical one-dimensional subatomic particle having the dynamical properties of a flexible loop.
(also cosmic string) a hypothetical thread-like concentration of energy within the structure of space-time.

verb (past and past participle strung /strʌŋ/)

1 [with object and adverbial] hang (something) so that it stretches in a long line:lights were strung across the promenade
thread (a series of small objects) on a string:he collected stones with holes in them and strung them on a strong cord
(be strung) be arranged in a long line:the houses were strung along the road
(string something together) add items to one another to form a series or coherent whole:he can’t string two sentences together

2 [with object] fit a string or strings to (a musical instrument, a racket, or a bow):the harp had been newly strung

3 [with object] remove the strings from (a bean).

4 [with object] North American informal hoax or trick (someone):I’m not stringing you—I’ll eat my shirt if it’s not true

5 [no object] informal work as a stringer in journalism:he strings for almost every French radio service

6 [no object] Billiards determine the order of play by striking the cue ball from baulk to rebound off the top cushion, first stroke going to the player whose ball comes to rest nearer the bottom cushion.

Phrases

have many strings to one's bow: see bow¹.
how long is a piece of string?: British used to indicate that something cannot be given a finite measurement.
no strings attached: informal used to show that an offer or opportunity carries no special conditions or restrictions: they wanted a lot of money with no strings attached
on a string: under one’s control or influence:I keep all three men on a string and never make a choice

Phrasal Verbs

string along: British informal stay with or accompany a person or group casually or as long as it is convenient.
string someone along: informal mislead someone deliberately over a length of time, especially about one’s intentions:she had no plans to marry him—she was just stringing him along
string out: stretch out into a long line:the runners string out in a line across the road
string something out: prolong something: he had strung out the conversation
be strung out: be nervous or tense:I often felt strung out by daily stresses; North American be under the influence of alcohol or drugs:he died, strung out on booze
string someone/thing up

Derivatives

stringless
string-like

Origin:

Old English streng (noun), of Germanic origin; related to German Strang, also to strong. The verb (dating from late Middle English) is first recorded in the senses 'arrange in a row' and 'fit with a string'

string in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of string in the US English dictionary

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Other

string

noun

verb (past and past participle strung /strʌŋ/)

Phrases

have many strings to one's bow

how long is a piece of string?

no strings attached

on a string

Phrasal Verbs

string along

string someone along

string out

string something out

be strung out

string someone/thing up

Derivatives

stringless

string-like

Origin:

string in other Oxford dictionaries

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