1 [C] [usu.pl] a narrow piece of sea that joins two larger seas 海峡: the straits of Gibraltar 直布罗陀海峡

2 straits [pl] a very difficult situation, especially one caused by having no money 困境，窘迫（尤指因没有钱引起的）: The company is in financial straits. 公司处于财务困境。