Dictionary definition · distress
noun
- psychological suffering"the death of his wife caused him great distress"
- a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need)"a ship in distress"
- extreme physical pain"the patient appeared to be in distress"
- the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim"Originally distress was a landlord's remedy against a tenant for unpaid rents or property damage but now the landlord is given a landlord's lien"
verb
- bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial hardship
- cause mental pain to"The news of her child's illness distressed the mother"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).