impetus

American  

[im-pi-tuhs] / ˈɪm pɪ təs /

noun

plural

impetuses

1. a moving force; impulse; stimulus.

   The grant for building the opera house gave impetus to the city's cultural life.

   Synonyms:

   boost, spur, stimulation

2. (broadly) the momentum of a moving body, especially with reference to the cause of motion.

---

impetus British  

/ ˈɪmpɪtəs /

noun

1. an impelling movement or force; incentive or impulse; stimulus

2. physics the force that sets a body in motion or that tends to resist changes in a body's motion

---

Etymology

Origin of impetus

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin: “an attack,” literally, “a rushing into,” perhaps by haplology from unattested impetitus (though the expected form would be unattested impetītus; appetite ), equivalent to impetī-, variant stem of impetere “to attack” ( im- im- ¹ + petere “to make for, assault”) + -tus suffix of verb action

Example Sentences

In her interview with the political podcast “The Great Battlefield,” she recounted that the writers’ strike was the impetus for Findraiser and said Swalwell came up with the name.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, “Undertone” is like getting to the climactic moment of your favorite horror podcast, only to have the terrifying impetus interrupted by a Squarespace ad.

From Salon

“Without a genuine willingness to reform and a powerful impetus in Berlin and Brussels, the industrial base is at risk of structural collapse,” the head of the trade group said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Right-hand side, packed penalty area, Celtic on the ropes, Rangers finding impetus if not accuracy.

From BBC

Thales HO 0.39%increase; green up pointing triangle said more generous European defense budgets would boost sales this year and beyond, as fresh Middle East turmoil adds new impetus to a booming European defense sector.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• catalyst
• impulse
• incentive
• momentum
• motivation
• stimulant