string
string1 S3 W2 /strɪŋ/ 
noun
1. THREAD [uncountable and countable] a strong thread made of several threads twisted together, used for tying or fastening things ⇨ rope:
Her key hung on a string around her neck.
a ball of string
I need a piece of string to tie this package.
2. GROUP/SERIES [countable]
a. a number of similar things or events coming one after another
SYN series
string of
a string of hit albums
b. a group of similar things
string of
She owns a string of health clubs.
c. technical a group of letters, words, or numbers, especially in a computer program
3. no strings (attached) having no special conditions or limits on an agreement, relationship etc:
The policy offers 15% interest, with no strings attached.
4. string of pearls/lights/beads etc several objects of the same type connected with a thread, chain etc
5. MUSIC
a. [countable] one of the long thin pieces of wire, nylon etc that are stretched across a musical instrument and produce sound
b. the strings/the string section the people in an orchestra or band who play musical instruments that have strings, such as violins
6. first-string/second-string etc relating to or being a member of a team or group with the highest, second highest etc level of skill:
a first-string quarterback
7. have somebody on a string informal to be able to make someone do whatever you want:
Susie has her mother on a string.
8. have more than one string to your bow British English to have more than one skill, idea, plan etc that you can use if you need to
⇨ G-string, ⇨ how long is a piece of string? at long1(9), ⇨ pull strings at pull1(8), ⇨ pull the/sb’s strings at pull1(9), ⇨ the purse strings at purse1(5)
string2 verb (past tense and past participle strung /strʌŋ/) [transitive]
1. to put things together onto a thread, chain etc:
beads strung on a silver chain
2. [always + adverb/preposition] to hang things in a line, usually high in the air, especially for decoration
string something along/across etc something
Christmas lights were strung from one end of Main Street to the other.
3. be strung (out) along/across etc something written to be spread out in a line:
the houses and shops were strung out along the bay
4. to put a string or a set of strings onto a musical instrument
⇨ highly-strung at highly
string along phrasal verb informal
1. string somebody along to deceive someone for a long time by making them believe that you will help them, that you love them etc:
He’s just stringing you along.
2. British English to go somewhere with someone for a short time, especially because you do not have anything else to do
string along with
If you’re going into town, I’ll string along with you.
string something ↔ out phrasal verb
informal to make something continue longer than it should:
Rebel leaders attempted to string out negotiations to avoid reaching a settlement.
string something ↔ together phrasal verb
1. string words/a sentence together to manage to say or write something that other people can understand:
He was so drunk he could hardly string two words together.
2. to combine things in order to make something that is complete, good, useful etc:
They string together image after image until the documentary is completed.
string somebody ↔ up phrasal verb informal
to kill someone by hanging them
⇨ strung-up
| I |
noun Language: Old English
Origin: streng
Origin: streng
1. THREAD [uncountable and countable] a strong thread made of several threads twisted together, used for tying or fastening things ⇨ rope:
2. GROUP/SERIES [countable]
a. a number of similar things or events coming one after another
SYN series
string of
b. a group of similar things
string of
c. technical a group of letters, words, or numbers, especially in a computer program
3. no strings (attached) having no special conditions or limits on an agreement, relationship etc:
4. string of pearls/lights/beads etc several objects of the same type connected with a thread, chain etc
5. MUSIC
a. [countable] one of the long thin pieces of wire, nylon etc that are stretched across a musical instrument and produce sound
b. the strings/the string section the people in an orchestra or band who play musical instruments that have strings, such as violins
6. first-string/second-string etc relating to or being a member of a team or group with the highest, second highest etc level of skill:
7. have somebody on a string informal to be able to make someone do whatever you want:
8. have more than one string to your bow British English to have more than one skill, idea, plan etc that you can use if you need to
⇨ G-string, ⇨ how long is a piece of string? at long1(9), ⇨ pull strings at pull1(8), ⇨ pull the/sb’s strings at pull1(9), ⇨ the purse strings at purse1(5)
| II |
verb (past tense and past participle strung /strʌŋ/) [transitive]1. to put things together onto a thread, chain etc:
2. [always + adverb/preposition] to hang things in a line, usually high in the air, especially for decoration
string something along/across etc something
3. be strung (out) along/across etc something written to be spread out in a line:
4. to put a string or a set of strings onto a musical instrument
⇨ highly-strung at highly
string along phrasal verb informal
1. string somebody along to deceive someone for a long time by making them believe that you will help them, that you love them etc:
2. British English to go somewhere with someone for a short time, especially because you do not have anything else to do
string along with
string something ↔ out phrasal verb
informal to make something continue longer than it should:
string something ↔ together phrasal verb
1. string words/a sentence together to manage to say or write something that other people can understand:
2. to combine things in order to make something that is complete, good, useful etc:
string somebody ↔ up phrasal verb informal
to kill someone by hanging them
⇨ strung-up