string

Pronunciation

• (UK) (US) IPA ^(key): /strɪŋ/
• SAMPA: /strIN/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular string

Plural strings

Thread is a kind of string.

1. (countable) A string is a long, thin and flexible cord that is used for tying.
   • Synonyms: cord, rope, line and thread
2. (countable) A string is something that is long and can be bent.

   There are 4 strings on a violin.

3. (countable) A string is a group of things positioned or stuck together in a line.

   My dog tried to grab one sausage with his mouth, but he took the whole string of sausages.

4. (countable) A string is a set of events that happen one after the other.
   • Synonyms: sequence and series

   She remembered her past string of successes and felt happy.

5. (countable), (computing) A string is a group of letters, numbers, punctuation marks, etc. (characters) that is stored in a computer's memory. The characters can repeat and they are placed together in some order.
6. (countable), (music) A string is a musical instrument that makes sounds from strings.
7. (countable), (physics) A string is an infinitely thin object that is 10^-35 meters long. A part of physics called string theory claims that strings are subatomic particles (they are the smallest bits of atoms) and physical states affect the way they move repeatedly (they vibrate).
8. (uncountable), (slang) String is marijuana.
9. (countable), (sports) In billiards and other similar cue sports, a string is one of the imaginary lines that divide a table. Each string joins two diamonds (points) that are marked in two opposite rails (edges) of the table. Strings may or may not be marked in the table.

   The long string connects the two diamonds at the center of the two short rails, so it divides the table in two.

10. (countable), (old, no longer used) A string is some thin part of a plant that looks like a thread (a plant fiber).
11. (countable), (old, no longer used) A string is a cord in a body of an animal, like a nerve or tendon.
12. (plural only) See strings#Noun.

Related words

• no strings attached
• shoestring
• stringy

Verb

Plain form string

Third-person singular strings

Past tense strung

Past participle strung

Present participle stringing

1. (transitive) To string something is to put it on a string or line.

   The beads can be strung to make a necklace.

2. (transitive) To string something is to put strings on it.

   I help my father string tennis rackets so he can sell them.

3. (transitive) To string something is to tie or hang it.

   They strung many small bells in the trees.

4. (intransitive) To string is to form into a string, like when a substance stretches or when a group of people form a line.
5. (intransitive), (sports) In billiards and other similar cue sports, when two players string, they each shoot a ball to the opposite end of the table. The balls then hit the opposite edge (or "rail") and go back to the starting one. The player with the ball that is the nearest to the starting rail makes the first move in the game.