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traction

noun
trac·​tion | \ ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce traction (audio) \

Definition of traction

1a : the adhesive friction of a body on a surface on which it moves the traction of a wheel on a rail
b : a pulling force exerted on a skeletal structure (as in a fracture) by means of a special device a traction splint also : a state of tension created by such a pulling force a leg in traction
2 : the act of drawing : the state of being drawn also : the force exerted in drawing
3 : the support or interest that is needed for something to make progress or succeed a product that is starting to gain traction among consumers … the litmus test issues of abortion and gay marriage have been losing traction, subordinated to the Iraq war and terrorism.— Thomas B. Edsall As many economists have noted, cutting spending is the worst thing people with means can do for the economy right now. But that argument seems to have little traction, especially because even those with steady paychecks and no fear of losing their job have seen their net worth decline and their retirement savings evaporate.— Shaila Dewan
4 : the drawing of a vehicle by motive power also : the motive power employed
Other Words from traction Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about traction

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Other Words from traction

tractional \ ˈtrak-​shnəl How to pronounce tractional (audio) , -​shə-​nᵊl \ adjective

Did You Know?

A tractor is something that pulls something else. We usually use the word for a piece of farm machinery, but it's also the name of the part of a big truck that includes the engine and the cab. Tractors get terrific traction, because of their powerful engines and the deep ridges on their huge wheels. A cross-country skier needs traction to kick herself forward, but doesn't want it to slow her down when she's gliding, so the bottom of the skis may have a "fish-scale" surface that permits both of these at the same time.

Examples of traction in a Sentence

These tires get good traction on wet roads. A patch of ice caused the car to lose traction. She was in traction for three weeks after she broke her hip. The bill failed to gain traction in the Senate. We didn't get traction on this idea until the board took interest.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 There are a few robotically-powered coffee startups gaining traction in the U.S., such as Cafe X, Briggo, and Truebird. — Kate Dwyer, Fortune, "Robot Baristas Serve Cappuccinos With Convenience," 30 Aug. 2019 But Williams never gained traction in a crowded position room that already features a stout and powerful running back with a similar skillset in Royce Freeman. — Ryan O'halloran, The Denver Post, "Broncos early roster cut-down tracker: Team acquires CB Duke Dawson from Patriots," 30 Aug. 2019 But that effort, which relied heavily on aggressive law enforcement operations, has lost traction in recent years. — New York Times, "Amid Outrage Over Rainforest Fires, Many in the Amazon Remain Defiant," 26 Aug. 2019 Moulton, a three-term congressman from Massachusetts and U.S. Marine veteran who served four tours of duty in the Iraq War, struggled to gain traction in the Democratic race. — Fox News, "Trump jokingly blames Dow plunge on Seth Moulton’s withdrawal from 2020 race," 23 Aug. 2019 The project also represents a broader shift in how the story of race is gaining traction in newsrooms. — J. Brian Charles, Vox, "What the conservative critics of the New York Times’s 1619 Project miss.," 18 Aug. 2019 Meanwhile, the red flag laws — which generally allow a court to temporarily restrict a person’s access to guns at the request of a concerned family member — have gained little traction in Texas, where they are fiercely opposed by gun-rights groups. — Allie Morris And Benjamin Wermund, ExpressNews.com, "Gov. Abbott: No special session on guns, red flag laws," 16 Aug. 2019 Bullock has struggled to gain traction in the crowded Democratic primary field of more than 20 candidates. — Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, "Beto O'Rourke: 'I will not in any scenario run for the United States Senate'," 16 Aug. 2019 The art of beatboxing first gained traction in New York City in the 1980s with the rise of hip-hop and quickly grew into a nationwide phenomenon. — Laurel Deppen, The Courier-Journal, "This Louisville-based beatboxer was ranked in the top 5 in the nation," 8 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'traction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of traction

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for traction

Medieval Latin traction-, tractio, from Latin trahere

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More Definitions for traction

traction

noun
How to pronounce traction (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of traction

: the force that causes a moving thing to stick against the surface it is moving along
: the power that is used to pull something
medical : a way of treating broken bones in which a device gently pulls the bones back into place

See the full definition for traction in the English Language Learners Dictionary

traction

noun
trac·​tion | \ ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce traction (audio) \

Kids Definition of traction

: the force that causes a moving thing to slow down or to stick against the surface it is moving along The wheels get more traction when the road is dry.

traction

noun
trac·​tion | \ ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce traction (audio) \

Medical Definition of traction

1 : the pulling of or tension established in one body part by another
2 : a pulling force exerted on a skeletal structure (as in a fracture) by means of a special device or apparatus a traction splint also : a state of tension created by such a pulling force a leg in traction

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