post-tensioned
|post-ten-sioned|
🇺🇸
/poʊstˈtɛnʃən/
🇬🇧
/pəʊstˈtɛnʃən/
(post-tension)
apply tension after setting
Etymology
'post-tensioned' is formed from the prefix 'post' and the noun 'tension'. 'post' originates from Latin 'post', where 'post' meant 'after'; 'tension' originates from Latin 'tensio' (from 'tendere'), where 'tendere' meant 'to stretch'.
'post-tension' is a modern compound created in technical English (20th century) from 'post-' + 'tension'; 'tension' itself came into English via Old French and Latin 'tensio' from 'tendere', and the compound evolved into the adjectival/past-participle form 'post-tensioned' used in construction.
Initially the elements meant 'after' ('post') and 'stretching' ('tension'); over time the compound came to denote a specific construction technique: applying stretching forces to tendons after concrete casting, and the adjective/p.p. now specifically denotes members treated by that technique.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past participle form of 'post-tension': to apply tension to tendons or cables after the concrete has set.
The contractor post-tensioned the bridge beams to increase their load capacity.
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Antonyms
Adjective 1
having had tension applied to internal tendons/cables after concrete has hardened; reinforced by post-tensioning (a method of prestressing where tendons are tensioned after casting).
The post-tensioned slab exhibited fewer cracks than the cast-in-place, non-tensioned slab.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/23 08:54