stran|gu|la|tion /stræ ŋgjʊle I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Strangulation is the act of killing someone by squeezing their throat tightly so that they cannot breathe. □ [+ of ] He is charged with the strangulation of two students.
strap /stræ p/ (straps , strapping , strapped )
1 N‑COUNT A strap is a narrow piece of leather, cloth, or other material. Straps are used to carry things, fasten things together, or to hold a piece of clothing in place. □ [+ of ] Nancy gripped the strap of her beach bag. □ [+ of ] She pulled the strap of her nightgown onto her shoulder. □ I undid my watch strap.
2 VERB If you strap something somewhere, you fasten it there with a strap. □ [V n prep] We strapped the skis onto the roof of the car. □ [V n with on/in/down ] Through the basement window I saw him strap on his pink cycling helmet.
strap|less /stræ pləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A strapless dress or bra does not have the usual narrow bands of material over the shoulders. □ …a black, strapless evening dress.
strapped /stræ pt/
1 ADJ [adv ADJ ] If someone is strapped for money, they do not have enough money to buy or pay for the things they want or need. □ [+ for ] My husband and I are really strapped for cash.
2 → see also cash-strapped
strap|ping /stræ p I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as strapping , you mean that they are tall and strong, and look healthy. [APPROVAL ] □ He was a bricklayer–a big, strapping fellow.
strap|py /stræ p I /
1 ADJ A strappy dress or top has thin shoulder straps.
2 ADJ Strappy shoes have thin straps over the feet. □ …strappy sandals.
stra|ta /strɑː tə, [AM ] stre I tə/ Strata is the plural of stratum .
strata|gem /stræ tədʒəm/ (stratagems ) N‑COUNT A stratagem is a plan that is intended to achieve a particular effect, often by deceiving people. [FORMAL ] □ Trade discounts may be used as a competitive stratagem to secure customer loyalty.
stra|tegic ◆◇◇ /strətiː dʒ I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Strategic means relating to the most important, general aspects of something such as a military operation or political policy, especially when these are decided in advance. □ …the new strategic thinking at the recent London summit. □ The island is of strategic importance to France. ● stra|tegi|cal|ly /strətiː dʒ I kli/ ADV □ …strategically important roads, bridges and buildings.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Strategic weapons are very powerful missiles that can be fired only after a decision to use them has been made by a political leader. □ …strategic nuclear weapons.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you put something in a strategic position, you place it cleverly in a position where it will be most useful or have the most effect. □ …the marble benches Eve had placed at strategic points throughout the gardens, where the views were spectacular. ● stra|tegi|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV -ed] □ We had kept its presence hidden with a strategically placed chair. SYNONYMS strategic ADJ 1
tacticaclass="underline" The security forces had made a tactical withdrawal from the area.
calculated: The President took a calculated political risk in throwing his full support behind the rebels.
deliberate: It has a deliberate policy to introduce world art to Britain.
strat|egist /stræ tədʒ I st/ (strategists ) N‑COUNT A strategist is someone who is skilled in planning the best way to gain an advantage or to achieve success, especially in war. □ Military strategists had devised a plan that guaranteed a series of stunning victories.
strat|egy ◆◆◇ /stræ tədʒi/ (strategies )
1 N‑VAR A strategy is a general plan or set of plans intended to achieve something, especially over a long period. □ The group hope to agree a strategy for policing the area. □ What should our marketing strategy have achieved?
2 N‑UNCOUNT Strategy is the art of planning the best way to gain an advantage or achieve success, especially in war. □ I've just been explaining the basic principles of strategy to my generals. COLLOCATIONS strategy NOUN 1
noun + strategy : business, growth, investment, marketing
adjective + strategy : clear, coherent, effective, long-term; high-risk, risky; corporate, economic, global, military
verb + strategy : adopt, devise, implement, pursue SYNONYMS strategy NOUN 2
policy: …the government's policy on repatriation.
procedure: The White House said there would be no change in procedure.
strati|fi|ca|tion /stræ t I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Stratification is the division of something, especially society, into different classes or layers. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] She was concerned about the stratification of American society.
strati|fied /stræ t I fa I d/ ADJ A stratified society is one that is divided into different classes or social layers. [FORMAL ] □ …a highly stratified, unequal and class-divided society.
strato|sphere /stræ təsf I ə r /
1 N‑SING The stratosphere is the layer of the earth's atmosphere which lies between 10 and 50 kilometres above the earth.
2 N‑SING If you say that someone or something climbs or is sent into the stratosphere , you mean that they reach a very high level. [JOURNALISM ] □ This was enough to launch their careers into the stratosphere.