momentary

[ moh-muhn-ter-ee ]

adjective

1. lasting but a moment; very brief; fleeting:

   a momentary glimpse.

2. that might occur at any moment; ever impending:

   to live in fear of momentary annihilation.

3. effective or recurring at every moment; constant.

momentary

/ -trɪ; ˈməʊməntərɪ /

adjective

1. lasting for only a moment; temporary

Derived Forms

• ˈmomentariness, noun

Other Words From

• momen·tari·ness noun
• inter·momen·tary adjective
• non·momen·tari·ness noun
• non·momen·tary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of momentary¹

1425–75; late Middle English momentare < Latin mōmentārius. See moment, -ary

Example Sentences

Designed specifically for ease of use and esthetic pleasure, the Tasty cooktop grants users full control over momentary temperature of pots and pans as well as remote connectivity via phone.

From Popular-Science

Other than a couple momentary “gusts” near 10 mph, south-southwesterly breezes are very light.

From Washington Post

The rogue fan may also have triggered his momentary panic, as studies suggest that certain noises can cause a person’s organs to shake, which makes them hyperventilate.

From Popular-Science

It’s defined as an intense momentary experience of positive emotion.

From Quartz

There’s no single standard for that rating, which means companies can list almost any figure they want, be it momentary peak power or a more sustainable figure called nominal power.

From Outside Online

It is hardly a rejection of adulthood, rather a momentary escape from routine.

From The Daily Beast

They are not the result of momentary negligence or incompetence.

From The Daily Beast

Does this really sound like an event at the beginning of time when the universe experienced a momentary burst of expansion?

From The Daily Beast

His momentary intention to resist this silent request—a “like, seriously?”

From The Daily Beast

Tweeting about it provides momentary relief, followed by the brief validation of the retweet.

From The Daily Beast

There fell upon the momentary silence the sound of an opening door, and both men rose simultaneously to their feet.

From Project Gutenberg

The barrier between them lowered perceptibly again, and Tom felt a momentary return of the confidence he had lost.

From Project Gutenberg

The smoke is inhaled into the lungs, producing a momentary stupor and the operation is over.

From Project Gutenberg

As Alice stares around her, when they stop in such momentary alarm, how strange the scene looks!

From Project Gutenberg

The outcome of the wrangle was a purely personal accommodation of an essentially momentary character.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• short-lived
• temporary
• transitory