From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishstraitstrait /streɪt/ ●○○ noun [countable] 1 (also straits [plural])SG a narrow passage of water between two areas of land, usually connecting two seas the Bering Strait2 → be in dire straits
Examples from the Corpus
strait• Everton, to put it bluntly, are in dire straits.• Beyond the strait it was expected that we might encounter enemy submarines.• They were expelled, and replaced by an Athenian citizen colony, strategically placed to hold the straits of Artemision.• Smugglers have been plying the straits for years.• the Strait of MagellanOrigin strait (1300-1400) strait “narrow” ((13-20 centuries)), from Old French estreit, from Latin strictus; → STRICT 