What's the definition of tensile strength

[lachymm]

I am abit confused as i was going over the Itute exams, is it the maximum stress in the linear region or is it the maximum stress a material is able to withstand before fracture.

Yes, i realize this is very late...

[cameron_15]

Maximum stress a material is able to withstand (it may be greater then the fracture point).

Tensile Stress is just the maximum stress while under tension.
compressive stress is maximum stress while under compression.