momentum

noun

mo·men·tum mō-ˈmen-təm

mə-

plural momenta mō-ˈmen-tə

mə-

or momentums

Synonyms of momentum next

: a property (see property sense 1a) of a moving body that the body has by virtue of its mass (see mass entry 2 sense 1c) and motion and that is equal to the product of the body's mass and velocity

broadly : a property of a moving body that determines the length of time required to bring it to rest when under the action of a constant force or moment

: strength or force gained by motion or by a series of events

The wagon gained momentum as it rolled down the hill.

Example Sentences

The company has had a successful year and hopes to maintain its momentum by introducing new products. The movie loses momentum toward the end.

Recent Examples on the Web With some in Congress saying the rise of AI has given lawmakers a new sense of urgency, Obernolte and his colleagues are optimistic there will be bipartisan momentum. —

Julian Mark, Washington Post, 17 May 2023 Chief Executive Zachary Hornby said the financing spotlights the company’s momentum toward developing a treatment for up to 400,000 patients in the U.S. each year who are diagnosed with these types of cancers. —

Mike Freeman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2023 But when this momentum couldn’t be sustained, Peloton suffered a staggering fall. —

Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 16 May 2023 Efforts to adopt a statewide code began gaining momentum after the December 2021 Marshall Fire, the most destructive in state history. —

Jennifer Oldham, ProPublica, 15 May 2023 The prospect of pursuing an education in trade while earning money on projects has also gained momentum among high school students, according to the Finishing Trades Institute’s recruitment coordinator, Tureka Dixon. —

Zolan Kanno-youngs, New York Times, 15 May 2023 But the book-banning opponents are gaining momentum. —

Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2023 The Michigan Panthers got off to a roaring start on Saturday in their third attempt to get their first win at Ford Field, but some costly early plays flipped the momentum and the Panthers lost, 23-7, to the Pittsburgh Maulers in an abysmal offensive performance. —

Andrew Birkle, Detroit Free Press, 13 May 2023 Durant not only missed 10 games during that stretch, but the Suns couldn’t continue building momentum off winning their first three games with him in the lineup and improve in-game chemistry. —

Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 12 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'momentum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.