Definition of tension

• feelings of hostility that are not manifest; "he could sense her latent hostility to him"; "the diplomats first concern was to reduce international tensions"
• (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense; "he suffered from fatigue and emotional tension"; "stress is a vasoconstrictor"
• a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies (especially in art or literature); "there is a tension created between narrative time and movie time"; "there is a tension between these approaches to understanding history"