Strait

/streɪt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water.

The strait between the islands is often used for navigation.

A position of difficulty or distress.

He found himself in a strait after losing his job.

adjective

Strict or exacting; narrow in scope or extent.

The company was operating under strait rules to ensure compliance.

Narrow or limited.

The strait path led directly to the summit of the mountain.

Middle English, from Old French 'estreit', from Latin 'strictus', meaning 'tight, drawn, close'.

in straitened circumstances

In a difficult financial or personal situation.

a strait of water

A body of water that connects two larger areas.

in a strait

In a difficult or challenging situation.

narrow

Having a small width.

confined

Restricted within limits.

constricted

Tightened or made smaller.

difficult

Hard to deal with or understand.

In a bind

I'm really in a bind after losing my job.

Between a rock and a hard place

She felt like she was between a rock and a hard place when choosing between jobs.