inertia
[ in-ur-shuh, ih-nur- ]
/ ɪnˈɜr ʃə, ɪˈnɜr- /
noun
inertness, especially with regard to effort, motion, action, and the like; inactivity; sluggishness.
Physics.
- the property of matter by which it retains its state of rest or its velocity along a straight line so long as it is not acted upon by an external force.
- an analogous property of a force: electric inertia.
Medicine/Medical. lack of activity, especially as applied to a uterus during childbirth when its contractions have decreased or stopped.
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OTHER WORDS FROM inertia
in·er·tial, adjectivenon·i·ner·tial, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for inertia
Inertial mass is the amount of matter in an object, the measure of the resistance an object has when a force pushes it.
The Equivalence Principle and Testing Einstein With Spaceships and Atoms|Matthew R. Francis|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST"You are, of course, aware of the problems inherent in the development of inertial systems," Marks began.
The Electronic Mind Reader|John BlaineThe delicate accelerometers and inertial guidance components did all the piloting until the second stage kicked us loose.
The Trouble with Telstar|John BerrymanThey are the inertial power – rather than the counterfist of reform.
After the Rain|Sam Vaknin
British Dictionary definitions for inertia
inertia
/ (ɪnˈɜːʃə, -ʃɪə) /
noun
the state of being inert; disinclination to move or act
physics
- the tendency of a body to preserve its state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force
- an analogous property of other physical quantities that resist changethermal inertia
Derived forms of inertia
inertial, adjectiveCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for inertia
inertia
[ ĭ-nûr′shə ]
n.
The tendency of a body to resist acceleration; the tendency of a body at rest to remain at rest or of a body in motion to stay in motion in a straight line unless acted on by an outside force.
Resistance or disinclination to motion, action, or change.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for inertia
inertia
[ ĭ-nûr′shə ]
The resistance of a body to changes in its momentum. Because of inertia, a body at rest remains at rest, and a body in motion continues moving in a straight line and at a constant speed, unless a force is applied to it. Mass can be considered a measure of a body's inertia. See more at Newton's laws of motion. See also mass.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for inertia
inertia
[ (i-nur-shuh) ]
In physics, the tendency for objects at rest to remain at rest, and for objects in uniform motion to continue in motion in a straight line, unless acted on by an outside force. (See Newton's laws of motion.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.