moment

noun

mo·​ment ˈmō-mənt 

1

a

: a minute portion or point of time : instant

… a moment of dreadful suspense …

—Graham Greene

b

: a comparatively brief period of time

moments of solitude/silence

EMTs were there within moments. [=in a very short time]

2

a

: present time

At the moment she is at work on her fourth novel …

—Holiday

b

: an instance or time of excellence or conspicuousness

enjoying her moment of triumph

There's … some deliciously funny moments, but most of it is numbingly subtle.

—Jess Cagle

He's not the best player, but he has his moments. [=has times when he is good]

It was a crowning moment in her career. [=a time that marked the peak of success]

3

: importance in influence or effect

decisions of moment must be made by our government

—L. H. Evans

4

obsolete : a cause or motive of action

5

: a stage in historical or logical development

… a document of one moment in the history of thought and sensibility in the nineteenth century.

—T. S. Eliot

It was a defining moment for him. [=an extremely important time in one's development]

see also aha moment, come-to-jesus moment

6

a

: tendency or measure of tendency to produce motion especially about a point or axis

b

: the product of quantity (such as a force) and the distance to a particular axis or point

7

a

: the mean (see mean entry 4 sense 1b) of the nth powers of the deviations (see deviation sense b) of the observed values in a set of statistical data from a fixed value

b

: the expected value of a power of the deviation (see deviation sense b) of a random variable from a fixed value

Phrases

any moment

: very soon

It could start any moment.

for the moment

: right now but possibly not for long

The schedule is accurate for the moment.

from moment to moment or from one moment to the next or moment by moment

: very quickly as time passes

Things change from moment to moment.

not for a moment or not for one moment

: not at all : never

I did not believe him for one moment.

of the moment

: having importance or popularity at a particular time

the man/woman of the moment

the vacation spot of the moment

the moment

: as soon as

Everything stopped the moment he walked in.

the last moment

: the latest possible time

The flight was cancelled at the last moment.

Synonyms of moment

• time
• occasion

Choose the Right Synonym for moment

importance, consequence, moment, weight, significance mean a quality or aspect having great worth or significance.

importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

the style you choose is of little consequence

moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

the argument carried no weight with the judge

significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

the treaty's significance

Examples of moment in a Sentence

The sun was shining. Moments later, it began to rain.

It was a moment before she realized what had happened.

She stopped for a moment and peeked into the window.

It should only take a moment to fix the problem.

I'm very busy and I don't have a moment to spare.

One moment it was sunny; the next it was pouring rain.

The moment for us to act has arrived.

War seemed unavoidable at that moment in history.

She knew exactly the right moment to ask for a raise.

We had an exciting vacation. There was never a dull moment.

Recent Examples on the Web

These might include articles, courses or micro-coaching moments, all designed to meet the employee's unique needs. —Kelly Jones, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

This little Sex and the City moment leads us right to the topic at the center of this episode’s cast. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025

New Yorkers have always risen to critical moments—demanding not perfection, but courage and connection. —Sally Susman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025

At moments darkly funny and yet deeply emotional. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing moment

• aha moment
• any moment
• as of this moment
• at a moment's/minute's notice
• (at) any moment (now)
• at the moment
• at this moment
• at this very moment
• come to Jesus moment
• crowning moment
• day/moment/time in the sun
• defining moment
• dipole moment
• for the moment
• have a minute/moment/second
• hold/hang on a moment
• in a moment
• just a minute/second/moment
• magnetic moment
• mic-drop moment
• moment of clarity
• moment of inertia
• moment of silence
• moment of truth
• never a dull moment
• never for one moment
• not a moment too soon
• not for a moment
• not for a/one moment
• not for one moment
• of moment
• of the moment
• on a moment's/minute's notice
• on the spur of the moment
• psychological moment
• senior moment
• spur-of-the-moment
• teachable moment
• wait a minute/moment/second
• wait/just a moment
• waking hour/moment
• weak moment

Rhymes for moment

• enrolment

Kids Definition

moment

noun

mo·​ment ˈmō-mənt 

1

: a brief portion of time : instant

2

a

: present time

at the moment she is working on a novel

b

: a time of importance or success

he has his moments

3

: importance, consequence

an event of great moment