traction

American  

[trak-shuhn] / ˈtræk ʃən /

noun

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

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

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

4. transportation by means of railroads.

5. the act of drawing or pulling.

6. the state of being drawn.

7. the support or momentum needed to advance something or make it successful.

   Her proposal failed to gain traction among our board members.

8. attracting power or influence; attraction.

   The main character feels the traction of fate.

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traction British  

/ ˈtræktɪv, ˈtrækʃən /

noun

1. the act of drawing or pulling, esp by motive power

2. the state of being drawn or pulled

3. 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

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

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traction Scientific  

/ trăk′shən /

1. Static friction, as of a wheel on a track or a tire on a road.

2. See more at friction

3. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• nontraction noun
• tractional adjective
• tractive adjective

Etymology

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-; -ion

Example Sentences

"Now, as more studies align with our findings, the idea is gaining traction," said Olmedo-Velarde.

From Science Daily

Markets, for now, appear unconvinced that the investigation will gain traction.

From Barron's

Markets, for now, appear unconvinced that the investigation will gain traction.

From Barron's

Konik said that the results showed that Hill’s “turnaround is gaining traction.”

From Barron's

Ives is upbeat about Apple’s traction with the iPhone 17, writing Sunday that it has room to “handily exceed current Street estimates” this year.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• suction