traction

[ trak-shuhn ]

/ ˈtræk ʃən /

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See synonyms for traction on Thesaurus.com

noun

the adhesive friction of a body on some surface, as a wheel on a rail or a tire on a road.

the action of drawing a body, vehicle, train, or the like, along a surface, as a road, track, railroad, or waterway.

Medicine/Medical. the deliberate and prolonged pulling of a muscle, organ, or the like, as by weights, to correct dislocation, relieve pressure, etc.

transportation by means of railroads.

the act of drawing or pulling.

the state of being drawn.

the support or momentum needed to advance something or make it successful: Her proposal failed to gain traction among our board members.

attracting power or influence; attraction: The main character feels the traction of fate.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of traction

First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin tractiōn- (stem of tractiō ) “act of drawing,” equivalent to tract(us) (past participle of trahere “to draw, drag, pull”) + -iōn-; see -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM traction

trac·tion·al, adjectivenon·trac·tion, noun

Words nearby traction

Tractarian, Tractarianism, tractate, tract house, tractile, traction, traction control, traction engine, traction load, tractive, tractive effort

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use traction in a sentence

When this metric shows growth, that means the app is getting more traction.
App store optimization success: Top five KPIs you must measure|Juned Ghanchi|August 28, 2020|Search Engine Watch
So, while you’re gaining traction, building SEO, and working your way to the top, you may need to take a different approach.
Nine mistakes to avoid when contacting websites for backlinks|Raj Dosanjh|July 29, 2020|Search Engine Watch
It’s an offering that’s predictably gained traction among middle-class and lower income earners who typically found access to credit through traditional banks out of reach.
Kenya is doubling down on regulating mobile loan apps to combat predatory lending|Yomi Kazeem|July 23, 2020|Quartz
Kershaw’s playoff struggles gained narrative traction, never mind that six of his eight outings over the three postseasons were quality starts, but the Dodgers asked more of him than a team with a quarter-billion-dollar budget had any business doing.
The Dodgers’ Legacy May Depend On This Short Season|Robert O'Connell|July 13, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

It’ll take time and effort, but once you’re an authority, every other aspect of your marketing will gain more traction.
How to build your brand authority through content marketing|Amanda Milligan|July 1, 2020|Search Engine Watch
Sudan has been plagued by years of political instability, which has prevented tourism from gaining traction.
Egypt Ain’t The Only Pyramid Show In Town|Nina Strochlic|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Another dark horse, Tennessee Senator Al Gore, was finding little traction in his efforts to become a centrist alternative.
Want President Hillary? Then Primary Her|Jeff Greenfield|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He gained little traction as George W. Bush consumed all the political oxygen.
John Kasich: The GOP’s Hobbled 2016 Dark Horse|W. James Antle III|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At the very least, this line of attack should have been started last week to give it a chance to gain traction.
Hooray for Liberal Fear-Mongering!|Michael Tomasky|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The hashtag quickly gained traction (it was used more than 100,000 times on Twitter in the subsequent two days).
Harsh Truths About Domestic Violence: Why Voicing Terrible Experiences Can Help Others|Lizzie Crocker|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Electric tramcars, in supersession of horse-traction, run through the city and suburbs since April 10, 1905.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Telephones are now in use in all large centres, and electric lighting and traction are far more widely used than in England.
Spanish Life in Town and Country|L. Higgin and Eugne E. Street
"Uncle Randolph had ten thousand dollars' worth of traction company bonds," said Dick.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
"We can make sure of that point by sending word to the traction company offices," answered Dick.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
"That rascal Merrick, one of the two men who stole my uncle's traction company bonds," explained Dick.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)

British Dictionary definitions for traction

traction

/ (ˈtrækʃən) /

noun

the act of drawing or pulling, esp by motive power

the state of being drawn or pulled

med the application of a steady pull on a part during healing of a fractured or dislocated bone, using a system of weights and pulleys or splints

the adhesive friction between a wheel and a surface, as between a driving wheel of a motor vehicle and the road

Derived forms of traction

tractional, adjectivetractive (ˈtræktɪv), adjective

Word Origin for traction

C17: from Medieval Latin tractiō, from Latin tractus dragged; see tractile

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for traction

traction

[ trăk′shən ]

Static friction, as of a wheel on a track or a tire on a road. See more at friction.

A sustained pulling force applied mechanically to a part of the body by means of a weighted apparatus in order to correct the position of fractured or dislocated bones, especially of the arm, leg, or neck.

traction

Origin of traction

OTHER WORDS FROM traction

Words nearby traction

Words related to traction

How to use traction in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for traction

Derived forms of traction

Word Origin for traction

Scientific definitions for traction