WordGarden.iostring
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /strˈɪŋ/
US
- /ˈstrɪŋ/
Meanings
Noun
a thin cord used for tying, fastening, or hanging things
a number of similar things or events following one after another
a stretched cord on a musical instrument that vibrates to make sound
More meaningsFewer meanings
a sequence of characters treated as a single text value in software
Verb
to thread, attach, or arrange things on a string
Beyond the definition
A string can be a thin cord used for tying things, like the one on a bow or in a ball of twine. It can also mean a line on a musical instrument, such as a guitar. In computer programming, it is a sequence of letters, numbers, or symbols. You can picture beads in a row, with each bead standing for one character.
You might tie something with it, pluck a guitar string to make music, or search for a line of text in a document. The word is also used for a series of things that come one after another, such as "a string of bad luck" or "a string of wins."
The word "string" has surprisingly diverse meanings, stemming from its original sense of a thin, flexible cord. Traditionally, a string is a length of twisted fibers—like cotton, hemp, or nylon—used for binding, tying, or pulling. You might use string to wrap a present, secure a package, or even play a musical instrument; violin and guitar strings vibrate to create sound. In nature, even the "string bean" is named for its long, slender shape that resembles a piece of cord!
In the digital age, "string" has taken on a crucial role in computer science. In this context, a string is a sequence of characters—letters, numbers, or symbols—treated as a single unit of data. Programmers use strings to store and manipulate text; for example, your name ("Jane Doe") is stored as a string within a database.
Beyond these literal and technical meanings, "string" often describes a series of things happening in succession: "a string of pearls," "a string of victories," or "a string of unfortunate events." This usage evokes the image of items linked together. Figuratively, the word also appears in common idioms; for instance, when an offer has "no strings attached," it means there are no hidden conditions or unexpected requirements.
Whether you're tying up loose ends, coding software, or experiencing a run of good luck, "string" represents connection, sequence, and the thread that holds things together.
Examples
- 1
Tying things
I need a piece of string to tie these boxes together.
- 2
Decorations
We hung a string of lights above the table.
- 3
Musical instrument
One of the guitar strings snapped in the middle of the song.
- 4
Series
After a string of delays, the train finally left.
- Patterna string of + plural noun
a series of things
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Making jewelry
She strung the beads onto a piece of wire.
- 6
Hanging display
They strung a banner across the street before the parade.
- Patternstring something across + space
hang it from one side to the other
- 7
Connecting ideas
The article strings together several unrelated facts.
- Patternstring together + things
connect them, often in a loose way
- 8
False hope
He kept stringing her along without ever making real plans.
- Patternstring someone along
keep someone hoping without being honest
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- stringnounverb
Forms
- stringspluralnounverb
- strungpast tensepast participleverbnoun
- stringing-ing formverbnoun