string

plural strings

1. countableuncountableA long, thin and flexible structure made from threads twisted together.

   I need three strings to complete the project.

   2 more examples

   She bought cotton thread to use to make string.

   Round Ormond's knee thou tiest the mystic string.

   1700, Matthew Prior, Carmen Seculare. for the Year 1700

   Synonyms: cord, rope, line, thread, twine

   1. countablefigurativelypluralsometimesuncountableControl; influence.

      I always know what position he'll take because the Chairwoman of the Board has her string on him.

      2 more examples

      You have to keep the piece with your mother-in-law, because mothers always have strings in their child.

      "Mr. Chairman, it gives me pleasure to mention the name of Mr. J. M. Blake as one of the delegates from this ward; and I can confidently assure the house that if he is made a delegate he can be counted on to represent the whole people and cater only to their wishes, as it is well known that no one has had or ever can have a string on him."

      1909, N. Y. Homer, A Slight Indiscretion, Cochrane Publishing Company, pages 122-123

      Synonyms: cord, rope, line, thread, twine

   2. countablefigurativelyin pluraluncountableThe conditions and limitations in a contract collectively.

      no strings attached

      2 more examples

      The deal sounds good, but what are the strings?

      But he added: "The RDG offer contains more strings than a harp, including some which have never previously been discussed. It also omits significant points that had previously been negotiated."

      2022 December 14, Mel Holley, “Network News: Strikes go on as RMT rejects RDG's "detrimental" offer”, in RAIL, number 972, page 8

      Synonyms: cord, rope, line, thread, twine, conditions, provisions

   3. countablefigurativelyuncountableA controlling inner sense, emotion, memory, etc.

      tug on the heart strings

      3 more examples

      The experience struck a string in him that turned into a lifetime hobby.

      The sight triggered a string of revulsion in her.

      The smell pulled a string that reawakened his memory of his grandmother's cooking.

      Synonyms: cord, rope, line, thread, twine

   4. countablefigurativelyuncountableball gamesControl over the basketball in a game; the state of being in sync as a team, as if connected by a string.

      The team needs to be on a string.

      2 more examples

      You have to get the ball on an absolute string.

      Tell Johnson he needs to be on a string with the ball.

      Synonyms: cord, rope, line, thread, twine

2. countableAny similar long, thin and flexible material.

   The headdress's frame is made with strings of gold.

   1. countableuncountablehobbiesA length of nylon or other material comprising the webbing on the head of a racquet or the mesh pocket of a lacrosse stick.

      Synonyms: stringbed

   2. countableuncountablebiologyThe tough fibrous substance that unites the valves of the pericarp of leguminous plants.

      the strings of beans; a string bean

   3. countableuncountablearcheryA bowstring.

      You have to be strong to pull on the string.

   4. countableuncountableusuallyarcheryThe sound of a bowstring releasing, which often causes a target animal to jump.

      The deer jumped the string.

   5. countableuncountableentertainmentA segment of wire, made of plastic, metal or other material, used as the sound-producing vibrating element on a chordophone.

      a violin string

   6. countablein pluralmetonymicallysometimesuncountableentertainmentA stringed instrument.

      He lacked Ginny's skill on the strings, but made up for it in enthusiasm.

      2006, Lou Grantt, At the Lake, page 93

   7. countablemetonymicallyplural normallyuncountableentertainmentThe stringed instruments as a section of an orchestra, especially those played by a bow, or the persons playing those instruments.

      The strings were wonderful in last night's performance.

      Synonyms: string section

   8. countableuncountablegolfA player's handicap in string game golf, providing an advantage in the form of the string, twine, rope, etc., used to measure that handicap.

      If a player uses, say, 10 inches of string to move from rough to fairway, those 10 inches are then cut from her allotment and disposed of. Players must maximize their string by using it judiciously.

      1997, National Golf Foundation, Tournaments and Events: Organization and Management, page 67

   9. archaiccountableuncountableA fibre, as of a plant; a little fibrous root.

      Duckweed putteth forth a little string into the water, from the bottom.

      1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the page, or |century=I to X)”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC

   10. archaiccountableuncountableA nerve or tendon of an animal body.

       The string of his tongue was loosed.

       1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Mark 7:35

3. countableA thread or cord on which a number of objects are strung or arranged in close and orderly succession; a line of things similarly strung together.

   a string of sausages

   1 more example

   a string of pearls, shells or beads

   Synonyms: chain

   1. countablehistoricaluncountableball gamesThe buttons strung on a wire by which the score is kept in a game of billiards.

      Synonyms: chain

   2. broadlycountablehistoricaluncountableball gamesThe points made in a game of billiards.

      Synonyms: chain

   3. broadlycountableuncountableA series of items or events; items arranged in a line; a trend; a sequence of words, letters, sounds, etc.

      Her string of bad luck seemed likely to continue.

      5 more examples

      The string of houses at the end of Motter Avenue are having a block party.

      The war was ended by a catastrophic string of battles on the northern front.

      The string of cars stretched as far as I could see.

      He let out a string of profanities. That acronym is a string of letters. She heard a string of applause from the audience, amid a few strings of laughter.

      a string of islands

      1776–1788, Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] W[illiam] Strahan; and T[homas] Cadell, […], →OCLC

      Synonyms: chain, chain, streak, sequence, series, succession

   4. broadlycountableuncountableshootingA series of gunshots comprising a sequence in a practical shooting event.

      1 more example

      This is a category where I have seen some different variations. Down in Florida, they shoot this category using four pistols and a shotgun. They will replace the rifle string with another pistol string. This makes that string much more challenging because of the farther rifle targets being engaged with pistols.

      2023 January 19, The Outlaw Travis James, “Cowboy Action Shooting Categories”, in Action Shooting Network

      Synonyms: chain, chain, streak, sequence, series, succession

   5. broadlycountableuncountablecomputingAn ordered sequence of text characters stored consecutively in memory and capable of being processed as a single entity.

      Synonyms: chain, chain, streak, sequence, series, succession

   6. broadlycountableuncountablelawA string citation.

      If none of the cases in a string is controlling, cite the first case and the most recent one, or the first case and the case in the string that is most like the one you are trying.

      2003, John Phelps Warnock, Harold C. Warnock, Effective Writing: A Handbook with Stories for Lawyers, Parlor Press LLC, page 92

      Synonyms: chain, chain, streak, sequence, series, succession

4. Senses relating to string-like items
   1. countableA cohesive substance taking the form of a string.

      The dish was garnished with zucchini strings.

      1 more example

      The string of spittle dangling from his chin was most unattractive

   2. countableuncountableA stretchy or gooey length of melted cheese; the stringiness quality of producing such strings of cheese.

      1 more example

      The curds milled at pH 5.40 had a tough, firm texture with nice strings and squeaky chew as compared with curds milled at pH 5.10 that were much softer, flowed easily out of the cooker-stretcher, melted completely, and had a tear with no strings. The curds in the cheese made from milk with 5.5% CN were the toughest and firmest of all cheeses with a mealy texture when milled at pH 5.40 whereas at pH 5.10, the curd had good string but with tough, chewy, and squeaky texture.

      2025 May 12, A.V. Swaminathan, S.K. Lillevang, S. Govindasamy-Lucey, J.J. Jaeggi, M.E. Johnson, J.A. Lucey, “Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella made from milk with varying casein contents”, in Journal of Dairy Science, volume 108, number 7, July 2025, pages 6771-6787

      Synonyms: cheese pull, stringiness

   3. countableA slightly elevated (long, thin) peat ridge in a bog.

      […] strings and flarks are again aligned along the contours, but the flarks are much wider and are often drier. Where the flarks are flooded they are curiously reminiscent of a system of terraced paddy fields […]

      1993, Shatrughna Prasad Sinha, Instant encyclopaedia of geography, Mittal Publications, →ISBN, page 335

      2 more examples

      Strings and Flarks[:] The two most conspicuous land form patterns in water tracks are fields of tree islands and networks of strings and flarks. The origin of strings and flarks is a controversial subject that has been treated extensively[…]

      1987, Paul H. Glaser, The Ecology of Patterned Boreal Peatlands of Northern Minnesota: A Community Profile, page 51

      […] strings and flarks is scarcely noticeable and it is the intermediate level (relative to the water table) between the higher, drier strings, and the low, wet flarks, which dominates. Such mires have an almost continuous cover of sedges[…]

      2009 July 15, Vaclav Cilek, Earth System: History and Natural Variability - Volume III, EOLSS Publications, →ISBN, page 199

      Synonyms: kermi

   4. countableball gamesThe line from behind and over which the cue ball must be played after being out of play, as by being pocketed or knocked off the table.

      Synonyms: baulk line, string line

   5. countableball gamesA part of the game of billiards, in which the order of play is determined by testing who can get a ball closest to the bottom rail by shooting it onto the end rail.

      Synonyms: baulk line, string line, lagging

   6. countablebusinessA small, filamentous ramification of a metallic vein.

      a single miner is often found pursuing his solitary labours at a string or thin vein of ore

      1833, Thomas Sopwith, An Account of the Mining Districts of Alston Moor, Weardale […]

   7. countablenatural sciencesA tiny one-dimensional string-like entity, the main object of study in string theory, a branch of theoretical physics.
5. Senses related to a number of items acting within a specific context
   1. broadlycountableuncountableAny grouping of companies, institutions, etc.

      He handles a string of professional boxers.

      2 more examples

      He owned a string of pizza restaurants throughout the region.

      The US operates a string of military bases in countries throughout the world.

   2. countableuncountablebowlingA complete game of ten frames.

      Synonyms: line

   3. countableuncountableball gamesThe series of three balls and two strikes which comprise an almost full opportunity for a batter, meaning that the next pitch will be decisive.

      This pitch will be key, because the string is out.

      1 more example

      The batter should play out the string. The pitcher should run out the string.

   4. collectivecountableuncountablehobbiesThe members of a sports team or squad in terms of whether they are likely to play first or as backups, etc.

      first string; second string; third string

   5. collectivecountableuncountableequestrianismA group of horses kept for working purposes by one owner; a group of racehorses kept by one owner or at one stable.

      My string usually consisted of six to eight head and occasionally more, mostly young horses, with one or two good broke six or seven year olds.

      2011, Buck Horn, A Big String - Stories about Horses, Round-Ups and Characters I Have Known

      2 more examples

      The Ball Brothers' string of horses came in early from Plattsburg, where they were exhibited last week. This noted string of show horses from the Ball stables at Versailles, Ky., is one of the big features of the horse show.

      1911 October 17, The Shadow and Show Horse Chronicle, volume 1, Lexington, Kentucky: The Chronicle Publishing Group

      "That's Flynn of Kildare," said Dodds's informant. "Jack Flynn has brought down that string of horses, and the other large string over yonder belongs to Tom Flynn, his brother. The two of them together are the two first breeders in Ireland."

      1899, A. Conan Doyle, “A Shadow Before”, in The Windsor Magazine, page 53

   6. collectivecountableslanguncountableSynonym of stable (“group of prostitutes managed by one pimp”).

      They were turning tricks, doing drugs, and generally little better off than they had been before, except that they were keeping more of their money. But they seemed lonely, too, without the company of their pimp and the rest of his string.

      2006, Steve Niles, Jeff Mariotte, 30 Days of Night: Rumors of the Undead, page 307

      Synonyms: stable

   7. collectivecountableuncountableA group of animals of any kind, generally moving in a line (as in camels), spread out laterally or a sequential series (as in ducks or geese taking flight).

      The string of bison strolled along the river.

      5 more examples

      A string of goats dotted the path up the mountainside.

      I heard a string of mallards taking flight one by one.

      A great sea of rain clouds hovers over a string of bison.

      2018, James P. Ronda, Visions of the Tallgrass: Prairie Photographs by Harvey Payne, University of Oklahoma Press

      It is reported in Central Australia that the camels there have acquired a taste for barbed wire, and that a string of camels can be tempted up a difficult hill by dangling a coil of barbed wire in front of them.

      1906, John Walter Gregory, The Dead Heart of Australia: A Journey Around Lake Eyre in the Summer of 1901-1902, with Some Account of the Lake Eyre Basin and the Flowing Wells of Central Australia, J. Murray, page 43

      we heard a number of shots, and, looking up, saw a string of ducks rise from the water and fly off towards the head of the pond

      1923, James S. Verner, “The Lame Duck, the Alligator and Bill”, in The Libertarian, volume 3, page 561

6. Senses related to planks or strips.
   1. countableuncountableA strip, as of leather, by which the covers of a book are held together.

      Many of those that pretend to be great Rabbies in these studies have scarce saluted them from the strings, and the titlepage.

      1641 May, John Milton, Of Reformation Touching Church-Discipline in England: And the Causes that hitherto have Hindred it. […], [London]: […] Thomas Vnderhill, →OCLC

   2. countableuncountablebusinessA board supporting steps.

      Synonyms: stringer, stringboard, stringpiece

   3. countableuncountablebusinessAn inside range of ceiling planks, corresponding to the sheer strake on the outside and bolted to it.
   4. countableuncountablearchitectureA stringcourse.
7. countableslanguncountableCannabis or marijuana.
8. countabledatedfigurativelyslanguncountableA hoax; a fake story.
9. countableuncountableoil industryA column of drill pipe that transmits drilling fluid (using the mud pumps) and torque (using the kelly drive or top drive) to the drill bit.

present singular third person strings · participle present stringing · past strung · colloquial past stringed · past strang · participle past strung · colloquial participle past stringed

1. transitiveTo put (items) on a string.

   You can string these beads on to this cord to make a colorful necklace.

   Synonyms: thread

2. transitiveTo put strings on (something).

   It is difficult to string a tennis racket properly.

   Synonyms: lace

3. intransitiveTo form into a string or strings, as a substance which is stretched, or people who are moving along, etc.
4. intransitiveball gamesTo drive the ball against the end of the table and back, in order to determine which player is to open the game.
5. biologyTo deliberately state that a certain bird is present when it is not; to knowingly mislead other birders about the occurrence of a bird, especially a rarity; to misidentify a common bird as a rare species.

   To be honest, you'd be better off trying to string a Skylark as a Richard's Pipit rather than as a Pectoral Sandpiper.

   1980, Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book, page 81

   1 more example

   For instance he might see a White-eared Honeyeater, a not uncommon bird in the heathy areas at Bunyip, but in his excitement to call it, something in his brain scrambled and came out as: `White-cheeked Honeyeater!' White-cheeked Honeyeater is an absolute stonking crippler in Victoria, but Stu was not actually trying to string a rarity, he'd just got such a flood of new information swirling around his brain that sometimes it got jumbled up.

   2005, Sean Dooley, The Big Twitch, Sydney: Allen and Unwin, page 67