tension
PronouncedTEHN-shuhn
nounA feeling of nervousness or worry that makes you unable to relax.
nounA feeling of suspense or excitement in a story, film, or game that makes you wonder what will happen next.
nounThe force that pulls on a rope or string when it is stretched tight.
nounA pulling force between two or more things pushing or pulling in opposite directions.
nounThe tightness in something elastic like a rubber band when it is stretched.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Word forms:
Related words (same phonics pattern)
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter T
Sound“t”·/t/
The letter T makes the /t/ sound, like in 'top', 'tap', and 'ten'. The tongue tip taps behind the upper teeth.
T is a voiceless alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth and releases with a puff of air. Double T (tt) makes the same /t/ sound.
Tip
T taps — touch your tongue to make /t/!
Examples
When the letter E appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short E sound “eh”. This is often confused with short I by new readers.
Tip
E says “eh” like an egg on your head.
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter N
Sound“n”·/n/
The letter N makes the /n/ sound, like in 'net', 'nap', and 'nut'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.
N is a voiced alveolar nasal — the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth while voice hums through the nose. It is one of the most common consonants in English.
Tip
N hums through the nose — say /n/ and feel the buzz!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Suffix -SION (“shun”)
Sound“shun”·/ʃən/
After a consonant, -SION says “shun”, like in 'mission' and 'tension'.
When -SION follows a consonant, it makes the “shun” sound: mission, tension, passion, discussion. (After a vowel it buzzes to “zhun” instead — vision, division — see the companion rule.)
Tip
-SION after a consonant says “shun” — mission, tension, passion!
Examples
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