TENS

American

[tenz] / tɛnz /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

a self-operated portable device used to treat chronic pain by sending electrical impulses through electrodes placed over the painful area.

TENS British

/ tɛnz /

acronym

transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: the application of low-voltage electric impulses to the skin to relieve rheumatic pain and provide some pain relief in labour. The pulses are said to stimulate the release of pain-killing endorphins

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of TENS

t(ranscutaneous) e(lectrical) n(erve) s(timulator)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, plans to spend tens of billions of dollars on new aircraft and airport upgrades to muscle its way into the market.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a briefing at the Pentagon, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said we are at the early stages of a “difficult and gritty” operation, adding that more U.S. forces will soon be sent to support the tens of thousands already there.

From Slate

In addition to defending tens of thousands of American troops stationed in the region, the U.S. must also defend dozens of its embassies and other government installations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dropping tens of millions of dollars on pop culture memorabilia may seem an odd hobby for an NFL general manager, yet Irsay viewed collecting much like he viewed leading the Indianapolis Colts.

From Los Angeles Times

The emirate is also home to several tens of thousands of influencers who bolster the digital economy.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023