Strain can refer to:

• Strain (biology), a variant of a plant, virus or bacterium; or an inbred animal used for experimental purposes
• Strain (chemistry), a chemical stress of a molecule
• Strain (continuum mechanics), the deformation of materials caused by stress
• Strain (injury), an injury to a muscle in which the muscle fibers tear as a result of over stretching
• Strain (manga), manga written by Yoshiyuki Okamura, and illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami
• Strain (music), a series of musical phrases that create a distinct melody of a piece

People

• Christina Strain, a comic book artist (colorist)
• Isaac Strain, an American explorer
• Julie Strain, an American actress and model

See also

• Strain 121, a microbe that can thrive at temperatures of 121°C
• Ames strain, a strain of anthrax
• Strain theory, of which there are several
• Ring strain, another chemical concept
• Shear strain, a strain that acts parallel to the face of a material that it is acting on
• The Andromeda Strain is a science fiction book and movie adaptation
• Strained tendon, a German band
• The Acacia Strain, an American band
• Lunar Strain, the 1994 music album by In Flames
• New Business Strain, a financial concept
• Strainer, a type of sieve used to separate solids from liquids, e.g. in cooking.