noun
Uncommon
traction
TRAK-shuhn
Traction (noun) means the grip a wheel, tyre, or foot has on a surface, preventing it from slipping. Example: “Snow tyres give much better traction in icy conditions.”
noun
1
The grip a wheel, tyre, or foot has on a surface, preventing it from slipping.
"Snow tyres give much better traction in icy conditions."
"The worn tyres had very little traction on the wet road."
"Hikers wear boots with deep treads for better traction on muddy slopes."
2
Growing momentum, popularity, or support for an idea, product, or effort.
"The startup finally gained traction after a viral ad campaign."
"The new campaign is slowly gaining traction among younger shoppers."
"Her idea never got any traction, and the team soon dropped it."
3
A medical treatment that applies a steady pulling force to a limb or the spine.
"His broken leg was put in traction while it healed."
"The doctor put the patient's neck in traction to ease the pain."
"She spent two weeks in traction after hurting her back."
How to use traction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGrip on a surface, or (more loosely) growing momentum and support for something new.
Common pairings
gain traction
lose traction
put in traction
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Word forms
- Plural
- tractions
- Third person singular
- tractions
- Past tense
- tractioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Snow tyres give much better _____ in icy conditions.
Etymology
From Latin tractus (past participle of trahere, "to pull") plus -io, forming a noun meaning "the act of pulling."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for traction
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for traction →
Frequently asked questions
What does “traction” mean?
The word “traction” means the grip a wheel, tyre, or foot has on a surface, preventing it from slipping. In plain terms, grip on a surface, or (more loosely) growing momentum and support for something new.
How do you pronounce “traction”?
“Traction” is pronounced TRAK-shuhn (/ˈtɹæk.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “traction” in a sentence?
Here is “traction” used in a sentence: “Snow tyres give much better traction in icy conditions.”
What part of speech is “traction”?
“Traction” is a noun.
Where does the word “traction” come from?
The word “traction” comes from Latin. From Latin tractus (past participle of trahere, "to pull") plus -io, forming a noun meaning "the act of pulling.".
Is “traction” a common word?
“Traction” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “traction” have?
“Traction” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the grip a wheel, tyre, or foot has on a surface, preventing it from slipping.
What is the difference between "traction" and "grip"?
"Traction" specifically refers to the grip a wheel, tyre, or foot has on a surface that prevents slipping, and is often used in technical contexts like driving or hiking. "Grip" is a broader term that can also describe holding something with the hands, so traction is essentially grip applied to a surface underfoot or under wheels.
What does it mean for an idea to "gain traction"?
When an idea, product, or effort "gains traction," it is building growing momentum, popularity, or support, much like a wheel gradually catching grip on a surface. This figurative use is extremely common in business and marketing contexts.
What is medical traction?
Medical traction is a treatment that applies a steady pulling force to a limb or the spine, often used to realign bones, relieve pressure, or support healing after an injury.
