traction

noun trac·tion \ ˈtrak-shən \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of traction

1 a : 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

—

tractional

play \ˈtrak-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See traction defined for English-language learners

See traction defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of traction from the Web

But in the cosmic scheme of things, not quite enough traction to hang with the big boys.

— scott ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, "The Warriors, looking beyond the moment to the greatness that awaits," 13 May 2018
However, while the rules for the program are still under development and its effects uncertain, several local initiatives are gaining traction even without federal tax breaks.

— howard schneider, The Christian Science Monitor, "As US jobs market grows, cities look to support those left behind," 9 May 2018
As for footwear, beginners on a synthetic log can go barefoot, but the more expert log rollers will wear minimalist athletic shoes for more traction, says Delaney.

— jenny mccoy, SELF, "All About Log Rolling, the Unique Sport That’s Much Tougher Than It Looks," 8 May 2018
But the reform movement to date has found little traction in Arizona, where many lawmakers and prosecutors believe revamping the current sentencing scheme could take a toll on public safety.

— megan cassidy, azcentral, "Arizona has a huge prison population. Lawmakers take no action to change that. Why?," 8 May 2018
In the late Obama years, entertainers sympathetic to the Black Lives Matter movement gestated a blend of personal narrative and political rhetoric that gained mainstream traction and produced some sensational works.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Can Protest Art Get Its Mojo Back?," 7 May 2018
This, Blankenship concluded in a series of reaches that would put an elite gymnast in traction, constitutes evidence that Mitch McConnell's political career has been funded at least in part by illicit international cocaine sales.

— jay willis, GQ, "How a Candidate Who Out-Trumps Trump Might Win West Virginia's Republican Senate Primary, Explained," 7 May 2018
Trend-setting music is showcased alongside breakthroughs such as Twitter, which first gained traction at SxSW in 2007.

— greg larose, NOLA.com, "Collision taking tech conference to Toronto from New Orleans," 1 May 2018
The Star has successfully gained traction among the Tennessee political elite, raising questions over whether the current news climate is ripe for these type of Breitbart-like local sites to proliferate across the country.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "‘Baby Breitbarts’ Might Be the Future of Local Newspapers," 1 May 2018

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.

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.

Origin and Etymology of traction

Medieval Latin traction-, tractio, from Latin trahere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1608

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet

TRACTION Defined for English Language Learners

traction

noun

Definition of traction for English Language Learners

: 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