breaking strain noun1 •The amount of strain which can cause something to break, according to the force or weight placed on it. Many materials, such as lines and ropes, have a specified breaking strain.The steel haulage ropes have a breaking strain of 50 tons, and another pair passing around a pulley at the bottom connect the lower ends of the cars and act as tail or balance ropes. — 1951 formsbreaking strains
