"the parachute keeps the cable under tension as it drops"

• the state of having the muscles stretched tight, especially as causing strain or discomfort

  "the elimination of neck tension can relieve headaches"

• a strained state or condition resulting from forces acting in opposition to each other

  "enormous tension can build up along the margin of the two plates and occasionally explodes into immense earthquakes"

• the degree of tightness of stitches in knitting and machine sewing
• electromotive force

"a mind which is affected by stress or tension cannot think as clearly"

• a strained political or social state or relationship

  "the coup followed months of tension between the military and the government"

• a relationship between ideas or qualities with conflicting demands or implications

  "the basic tension between freedom and control"

"it is best to insert the battens before the outhaul is tensioned"