1. relating to tension or capable of being stretched
Usage: technical; engineering
2. having the property of resisting breaking under tension
Usage: materials science

Examples

• The engineer tested the tensile strength of the steel cable.
• Rubber has good tensile properties that make it useful for elastic bands.
• The tensile stress in the bridge cables must be carefully calculated.
• Spider silk has remarkable tensile strength despite being very thin.
• The material failed under tensile loading during the experiment.
• Tensile testing helps determine how much force a material can withstand.