A narrow passage of water connecting two large bodies of water. noun
The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
Many ships pass through the strait daily, making it a vital shipping route.
A situation characterized by difficulty or distress. noun
The company found itself in dire financial straits after the market crash.
He was in desperate straits, having lost his job and his home.
Strict or narrow in scope or meaning; rigorous. adjective
The regulations were strait and left little room for interpretation.
Her strait adherence to the rules made her an effective but unpopular leader.