moment

mo·ment

noun \ˈmō-mənt\

Definition of MOMENT

1

a : a minute portion or point of time : instant b : a comparatively brief period of time

2

a : present time b : a time of excellence or conspicuousness

3

: importance in influence or effect

4

obsolete : a cause or motive of action

5

: a stage in historical or logical development

6

a : tendency or measure of tendency to produce motion especially about a point or axis b : the product of quantity (as a force) and the distance to a particular axis or point

7

a : the mean of the nth powers of the deviations of the observed values in a set of statistical data from a fixed value b : the expected value of a power of the deviation of a random variable from a fixed value

Examples of MOMENT

1. The sun was shining. Moments later, it began to rain.
2. It was a moment before she realized what had happened.
3. She stopped for a moment and peeked into the window.
4. It should only take a moment to fix the problem.
5. I'm very busy and I don't have a moment to spare.
6. One moment it was sunny; the next it was pouring rain.
7. The moment for us to act has arrived.
8. War seemed unavoidable at that moment in history.
9. She knew exactly the right moment to ask for a raise.
10. We had an exciting vacation. There was never a dull moment.

Origin of MOMENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin momentum movement, particle sufficient to turn the scales, moment, from movēre to move

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MOMENT

Synonyms: occasion, time

Antonyms: insignificance, littleness, puniness, slightness, smallness, triviality

Related Words: flash, instant, jiffy, minute, second, shake, split second, trice, twinkle, wink; bit, space, spell, stretch, while

Near Antonyms: paltriness, pettiness, valuelessness, worthlessness; discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, odium, opprobrium, shame; anonymity; obscurity

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at importance