string / string/ • n. 1. material consisting of threads of cotton, hemp, or other material twisted together to form a thin length. ∎  a piece of such material used to tie around or attach to something. ∎  a piece of catgut or similar material interwoven with others to form the head of a sports racket. ∎  a length of catgut or wire on a musical instrument, producing a note by vibration. ∎  (strings) the stringed instruments in an orchestra. ∎  [as adj.] of, relating to, or consisting of stringed instruments: a string quartet.2. a set of things tied or threaded together on a thin cord: she wore a string of agates around her throat. ∎  a sequence of similar items or events: a string of burglaries. ∎  Comput. a linear sequence of characters, words, or other data. ∎  a group of racehorses trained at one stable. ∎  a team or player holding a specified position in an order of preference: Gary was first string on the varsity football team.3. a tough piece of fiber in vegetables, meat, or other food, such as a tough elongated piece connecting the two halves of a bean pod.4. short for stringboard.5. a hypothetical one-dimensional subatomic particle having the dynamical properties of a flexible loop. ∎  (also cosmic string) (in cosmology) a hypothetical threadlike concentration of energy within the structure of space-time.• v. (past strung / strəng/ ) 1. [tr.] hang (something) so that it stretches in a long line: lights were strung across the promenade. ∎  thread (a series of small objects) on a string: he collected stones with holes in them and strung them on a strong cord. ∎  (be strung) be arranged in a long line: the houses were strung along the road. ∎  (string something together) add items to one another to form a series or coherent whole: he can't string two sentences together.2. [tr.] fit a string or strings to (a musical instrument, a racket, or a bow): the harp had been newly strung.3. [tr.] remove the strings from (a bean).PHRASES: no strings attached inf. used to show that an offer or opportunity carries no special conditions or restrictions.on a string under one's control or influence: I've got the world on a string.PHRASAL VERBS: string along inf. stay with or accompany a person or group casually or as long as it is convenient.string someone along inf. mislead someone deliberately over a length of time, esp. about one's intentions: she had no plans to marry him—she was just stringing him along.string something out cause something to stretch out; prolong something. ∎  (string out) stretch out into a long line: the runners string out in a line across the road. ∎  (be strung out) be nervous or tense: I often felt strung out by daily stresses. ∎  (be strung out) be under the influence of alcohol or drugs: he died, strung out on booze and cocaine.string someone/something up hang something up on strings. ∎  kill someone by hanging.DERIVATIVES: string·less adj.string·like / -ˌlīk/ adj.