friction

noun

fric·​tion ˈfrik-shən 

1

a

: the rubbing of one body against another

the friction of sandpaper on wood

b

: the force that resists relative motion between two bodies in contact

oil in a car engine reduces friction

2

: the clashing between two persons or parties of opposed views : disagreement

friction between neighbors

friction between state and federal authorities

3

: sound produced by the movement of air through a narrow constriction in the mouth or glottis

frictionless

ˈfrik-shən-ləs 

adjective

frictionlessly adverb

Synonyms

• conflict
• disaccord
• discord
• discordance
• discordancy
• disharmony
• dissension
• dissention
• dissent
• dissidence
• dissonance
• disunion
• disunity
• division
• infighting
• inharmony
• schism
• strife
• variance
• war
• warfare

Examples of friction in a Sentence

the friction of sandpaper on wood

Oil in a car engine reduces friction.

It was difficult to reach an agreement because of the friction between the two sides.

Recent Examples on the Web

What’s causing a lot of friction is those people who don’t want to, who want to hold on to the past. —Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Apr. 2024

Sleeping on silk helps protect skin and hair from friction damage. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 19 Apr. 2024

Underlying the increasingly acrimonious debate between the scholars was a natural friction in the scientific and philosophical communities over which side merited more credibility on the subject of evolution. —Jonathan Kandell, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Passages sparkle lyrical here, spark with friction there, always marked by depth and humanity, inventive and engaging and always illuminating. —Steve Hochman, SPIN, 15 Apr. 2024

Perhaps the most serious response would be if Israel attempted to destroy Iran's nuclear infrastructure, long a source of friction between the two foes. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

Those issues have largely eased as energy prices have fallen to pre-war levels and as supply chain frictions have eased. —David McHugh, Fortune Europe, 11 Apr. 2024

YouTube has chosen a model with little friction around the publication of ads, instead suggesting violating content may later be removed, rather than adequately reviewing the content beforehand. —Billy Perrigo, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024

Hendrix warned, too, of the unpredictability in what will happen ashore, where people’s desperation could create chaos, surging crowds and a new location for friction between Israeli forces and Palestinians. —Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

earlier, therapeutic rubbing of the limbs, from Middle French, from Latin friction-, frictio, from fricare to rub; akin to Latin friare to crumble, and perhaps to Sanskrit bhrīṇanti they injure

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing friction

• friction clutch
• friction drive
• friction tape

Kids Definition

friction

noun

fric·​tion ˈfrik-shən 

1

a

: the rubbing of one thing against another

b

: the force that resists motion between bodies in contact

the friction of a box sliding along the floor

lubrication reduces friction

2

: disagreement between persons or groups

3

: sound produced by the movement of air through a narrow constriction in the mouth or glottis

frictional

-shnəl

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

frictionally

-ē

adverb

frictionless

-ləs 

adjective

Etymology

Middle English friction "a rubbing of two things together, friction," from early French friction or Latin friction-, frictio (both same meaning), derived from Latin fricare "to rub" — related to fray entry 2