Definition

1. Noun:

   • A thin piece of cord or fiber: A long, flexible material made of twisted threads, used for tying, pulling, or fastening.
   • A sequence of similar items: A series of objects, events, or items connected or following one after the other.
   • A tightly stretched cord on a musical instrument: A length of wire, gut, or nylon on instruments like guitars or violins that produces sound when vibrated.
   • A tough fiber in food: A slender, inedible fibrous piece found in certain vegetables, beans, or meats.

2. Verb:

   • To fit or provide with strings: To put strings onto something, especially a musical instrument.
   • To arrange in a line or sequence: To connect or place things together in a series.
   • To remove the fibrous parts: To take out the tough, stringy fibers from food like beans.
   • To extend or stretch out in a line: To cause something to form a long, thin line.

Examples

• Noun:

  • She tied the package with a piece of string.
  • He owns a string of successful restaurants across the country.
  • The E string on my violin broke during the concert.
  • Be careful, there's a string in that green bean.

• Verb:

  • I need to string my tennis racket before the match.
  • The programmer will string the commands together to create a script.
  • Remember to string the beans before you cook them.
  • Lights were strung along the pathway for the festival.

Advanced Usage

• "To have someone on a string": To have control or influence over someone.

  • The charismatic leader had the entire crowd on a string.

• "To pull strings": To use one's influence, especially secretly, to get something done.

  • His father had to pull some strings to get him that interview.

• "A string of bad luck": A series of unfortunate events.

  • After a string of bad luck, things finally started to improve.

Variants and Related Words

• Stringy (adj): Resembling or full of strings; fibrous.

  • The meat was too stringy to enjoy.

• Stringent (adj): Strict, precise, and exacting. (Note: This meaning is distinct from the core "string" definitions).

  • The company has stringent security protocols.

• Unstring (verb): To remove the strings from something; to weaken or unsettle emotionally.

  • The bad news seemed to unstring him completely.

Synonyms

• Cord: A thin, flexible string or rope.
• Sequence: A particular order in which related events, objects, or ideas follow each other.
• Series: A number of things, events, or people of a similar kind following one after the other.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• String along:

  • To accompany someone.

    • I'll string along with you to the store.
  • To deceive someone over a period of time by giving false hope.

    • He strung her along for years with promises of marriage.

• String together: To combine words, ideas, or actions to form a coherent sequence.

  • She struggled to string together a logical argument.

• String up:

  • To hang something, especially decorations, on a line.

    • Let's string up these lights between the trees.
  • (Informal) To hang someone, especially by a rope around the neck.

    • In the old movie, the villain was strung up by the angry townsfolk.

Related Idioms

• Second string: A substitute or reserve player; something of secondary importance.

  • He was the second string quarterback for the team.

• Harp on the same string: To talk repeatedly about the same subject.

  • I wish he wouldn't harp on the same string about his old job.

• No strings attached: Without any special conditions or obligations.

  • It's a generous donation with no strings attached.

Noun

1. a necklace made by a stringing objects together;
   • a string of beads
   • a strand of pearls
2. a collection of objects threaded on a single strand
3. (cosmology) a hypothetical one-dimensional subatomic particle having a concentration of energy and the dynamic properties of a flexible loop
4. a tough piece of fiber in vegetables, meat, or other food (especially the tough fibers connecting the two halves of a bean pod)
5. a tie consisting of a cord that goes through a seam around an opening
   • he pulled the drawstring and closed the bag
6. a linear sequence of symbols (characters or words or phrases)
7. a sequentially ordered set of things or events or ideas in which each successive member is related to the preceding
   • a string of islands
   • train of mourners
   • a train of thought
8. a tightly stretched cord of wire or gut, which makes sound when plucked, struck, or bowed
9. stringed instruments that are played with a bow
   • the strings played superlatively well
10. a lightweight cord

Verb

1. provide with strings
   • string my guitar
2. remove the stringy parts of
   • string beans
3. string together; tie or fasten with a string
   • string the package
4. stretch out or arrange like a string
5. move or come along
6. add as if on a string
   • string these ideas together
   • string up these songs and you'll have a musical
7. thread on or as if on a string
   • string pearls on a string
   • the child drew glass beads on a string
   • thread dried cranberries