traction

noun trac·tion \ ˈtrak-shən \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Examples: traction in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

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

Neither side was able to gain traction in the first half or maintain any semblance of flow as passes trailed astray and displays of chippiness went appropriately penalized.

— owen pence, BostonGlobe.com, "Revolution, Sounders end in scoreless draw," 8 July 2018
Similar reforms are gaining traction in the states: This year Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, and Virginia passed laws to ensure provision of products in local jails and state prisons.

— jennifer weiss-wolf, Marie Claire, "Representative Sean Patrick Maloney Says a House Panel Wouldn't Fund Tampons For His Office," 29 June 2018
Such thinking has also been gaining some traction in the West, although so far only at the political fringes.

— The Economist, "The ultimate walled gardenChina has the world’s most centralised internet system," 28 June 2018
So to stain for corporations and capitalism appears to be gaining traction in some ways in America.

— Fox News, "Schlapp: Trump wants nominee who will uphold Constitution," 28 June 2018
At-home genetic testing services have gained significant traction in the past few years.

— alyson krueger, New York Times, "Are Genetic Testing Sites the New Social Networks?," 16 June 2018
Because this is America in 2018, this news gained traction in ugly corners of social media, wishing ill upon a horse who has no idea who owns him.

— tim layden, SI.com, "It's Instinctive to Compare Justify's Triple Crown to American Pharoah's but Both Share Connection to Greatness," 10 June 2018
But that doesn't mean there won't be enough room for another team to gain some traction in the near future.

— william guillory, NOLA.com, "Not an NBA town? New Orleans TV ratings tell a different story," 3 June 2018
Solar energy is gaining traction in Nebraska as a growing number of cities adopt the technology, and state officials are looking for ways to help it along.

— tess williams, The Seattle Times, "Solar energy farms gaining traction in Nebraska," 3 June 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