yield strength
Pronunciation
Noun
B2 Upper-intermediate
Quick answer
The amount of stress a material can withstand before it stops returning to its original shape and starts to deform permanently.
Usage notes
Different from tensile strength, which measures the point where a material actually breaks rather than just where it starts to deform.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "Engineers choose steel with a higher _____ for parts that will bear heavy loads."
Answer: yield strength
In your own words, what does "yield strength" mean?
The amount of stress a material can withstand before it stops returning to its original shape and starts to deform permanently.