- 1[uncountable, countable] material made of several threads twisted together, used for tying things together; a piece of string used to fasten or pull something or keep something in place a piece/length of string He wrapped the package in brown paper and tied it with string. The key is hanging on a string by the door. see drawstring, G-string, purse strings things joined
- 2[countable] a set or series of things that are joined together, for example on a string a string of pearls The molecules join together to form long strings.
- 3[countable] a series of things or people that come closely one after another a string of hits He owns a string of racing stables. computing
- 4[countable] a series of characters (= letters, numbers, etc.) musical instruments
- 5[countable] a tightly stretched piece of wire, nylon, or catgut on a musical instrument, that produces a musical note when the instrument is played
- 6the strings [plural] the group of musical instruments in an orchestra that have strings, for example violins; the people who play them The opening theme is taken up by the strings. compare brass, percussion, woodwind on tennis racket
- 7[countable] any of the tightly stretched pieces of nylon, etc. in a racket, used for hitting balls in tennis and some other games
- 8strings [plural] special conditions or restrictions Major loans like these always come with strings. It's a business proposition, pure and simple. No strings attached. in sport
- 9-string see first-string, second-string, third-string Idioms
for tying/fastening
(too much under) the influence and control of someone Foreign governments needing aid often cling to America's apron strings.
to be able to control someone or something and make them do what you want He doesn't even know I have him on a string.
to use your influence in order to get an advantage for someone
to control events or the actions of other people
Check pronunciation: string