stiffness

/ˈstɪfnəs/
noun
  1. The quality or state of being hard, rigid, and difficult to bend or move.
    • After the cold night, the stiffness of the garden hose made it hard to coil.
    • The stiffness of the new leather boots caused blisters on her heels.
    • The stiffness of the cardboard made it perfect for building a model.
  2. Pain or difficulty in moving a part of the body, especially after exercise or injury.
    • Morning stiffness in her knees often went away after a warm shower.
    • He felt stiffness in his shoulders after sleeping in an awkward position.
    • The runner stretched carefully to prevent muscle stiffness after the race.
  3. Formal, unfriendly, or awkward behavior; lack of ease or relaxation.
    • His stiffness during the interview made him seem nervous and distant.
    • The stiffness of the official's greeting surprised the friendly visitors.
    • There was a noticeable stiffness between the two coworkers after their argument.
  4. The degree to which a material or structure resists bending or deformation.
    • The stiffness of the spring determines how much weight it can hold.
    • Adding a metal frame increased the stiffness of the wooden shelf.
    • Engineers tested the stiffness of the bridge's support beams before opening it to traffic.