traction

noun trac·tion \ ˈtrak-shən \

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 \-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

After enduring myriad tests, traction and physical therapy, Lees underwent surgery on his cervical spine — his neck.

— janelle gelfand, Cincinnati.com, "CSO's Timothy Lees bows out of European tour," 14 July 2017
An article from Gateway Pundit claiming that Veselnitskaya met with Obama officials in the days following the Trump meeting has also gained traction in Trump circles.

— tiana lowe, National Review, "Conspiracies Abound in Deep Pro-Trump Circles Desensitized to Outrage," 13 July 2017
By 1986, the title had gained enough traction to be formally adopted by the New York Times.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Sheila Michaels, the Feminist Who Made ‘Ms.’ Mainstream, Has Died at 78," 8 July 2017
The Snape theory has gained traction over the years, finding a home within the transgender community on Tumblr.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, ""Harry Potter" Fan Theory Suggests Severus Snape Is Transgender," 30 June 2017
Then, the software calculates the correct speed to avoid slippage, improving the rover's traction.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "How a Software Update Fixed Curiosity's Wheels," 30 June 2017
Institutions that entered the year nervous that a Glass-Steagall revival would gain traction could breathe a sigh of relief: Over the two-hour course of the hearing, the proposal wasn’t mentioned.

— tory newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Democrats are more divided than ever over Wall Street regulations," 26 June 2017
For many years, Delaney’s hometown of Haughton, La., couldn’t get financial traction for a park to be named in his honor.

— vahe gregorian, kansascity.com, "Vahe Gregorian: What’s in a name? Plenty if you’re Delaney Neath," 23 June 2017
All-wheel drive is an on-demand system that disconnects the rear axle when max traction is not needed.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Chevrolet Equinox: Smaller, more polished and still family functional," 23 June 2017

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

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