moment

noun

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mo·ment | \ ˈmō-mənt

Definition of moment

1a : 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

2a : present time at the moment she is at work on her fourth novel — Holiday

b : a time of excellence or conspicuousness there's … some deliciously funny moments, but most of it is numbingly subtle— Jess Cagle

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

6a : 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

7a : 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

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing moment Learn More About moment

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Rather than try to forget or dismiss them in the light of hindsight, Klay amplifies their discomfort by elaborating on the emotional charge of the precise moment. — Joe Stanek, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2022 LuPone said, in audio of the moment that was later shared on social media. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, 11 May 2022 The Red Sox offense has been desperate for a big swing this season, admitting to the pressure of the moment — and their deepening bad start — weighing on their minds. — BostonGlobe.com, 10 May 2022 Well, the notoriously flirtatious Harlow had that kind of moment on the red carpet at the Gala when things got really real with YouTuber Emma Chamberlain. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 May 2022 All the young talent of the moment was eschewing other industries and flocking to the business. — New York Times, 10 May 2022 Over the last year, Taco Bell has tapped artists of the moment -- Doja Cat, Lil Nas X and, now, the eternally popular Parton -- to hawk its Chalupa Supremes and Cheesy Gordita Crunches to the youths. — Scottie Andrew, CNN, 10 May 2022 No matter the bag shape and trend of the moment—denim top handle? — Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 9 May 2022 The heartbreak and uncertainty of the moment were a testament to Pérez’s ability to draw emotion. — Washington Post, 9 May 2022 See More

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