Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - stress

~1 n 1 continuous feelings of worry about your work or personal life, that prevent you from relaxing  (Your headaches are due to stress. | under stress)  (Janet's been under a lot of stress since her mother's illness. | stresses and strains (=problems and worries) | stress-related (=caused by stress))  (a stress-related illness) 2 the physical force or pressure on an object  (the stress exerted on an aircraft's wing) 3 the special attention or importance given to a particular idea, fact, or activity; emphasis  (put/lay emphasis on)  (Pugh laid particular stress on the need for discipline.) 4 the degree of force or loudness with which a part of a word is pronounced or a note in music is played, which makes it sound stronger than other parts or notes ~2 v 1 to emphasize a statement, fact, or idea  (I can't stress enough the need for cooperation.) 2 to pronounce a word or part of a word more forcefully or loudly  (The word `machine' is stressed on the second syllable.)