trac·tion

trac·tion
/ˈtrækʃən/ noun [noncount]
1 a : the force that causes a moving thing to stick against the surface it is moving along

These tires get good traction on wet roads.

A patch of ice caused the car to lose traction.

1 b : the power that is used to pull something

steam traction

2 medical : a way of treating broken bones in which a device gently pulls the bones back into place

She was in traction for three weeks after she broke her hip.

3 informal : the support, interest, etc., that is needed for something to succeed or make progress

The bill failed to gain traction in the Senate.

We didn't get traction on this idea until the board took interest.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • trac|tion|al — «TRAK shuh nuhl», adjective. of or having to do with traction …   Useful english dictionary

  • trac|tion — «TRAK shuhn», noun. 1. a) the action of drawing or pulling. b) the fact or condition of being drawn. 2. the act of drawing or pulling loads along a road or track. 3. the kind of power used for this. Electric traction is used on subways and some… …   Useful english dictionary

  • at|trac|tion — «uh TRAK shuhn», noun. 1. a thing that delights or attracts people: »The elephants were the chief attraction at the circus. SYNONYM(S): magnet, lure. 2. the act or power of attracting: »The attraction of the bright headlights made the deer stop… …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|trac|tion|al — «kuhn TRAK shuh nuhl», adjective. serving or tending to contract …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|trac|tion — «kuhn TRAK shuhn», noun. 1. the act or process of contracting: »Cold causes the contraction of liquids, gases, and solids; heat causes expansion. Figurative. He talks of making more contractions of his expense (Samuel Johnson). 2. the condition… …   Useful english dictionary

  • coun|ter|at|trac|tion — «KOWN tuhr uh TRAK shuhn», noun. 1. an attraction of an opposite character. 2. an attraction counter to another attraction: »When the crowds deserted her booth for the one opposite, she put up a sign “Free coffee” as a counterattraction …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|trac|tion — «dih TRAK shuhn», noun. 1. a taking away of some quality or worth; detracting: »Of course her squinting eyes are a slight detraction. 2. an act of speaking evil; belittling: »Happy are they that hear detractions, and can put them to mending… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ex|trac|tion — «ehk STRAK shuhn», noun. 1. the act or process of extracting; pulling, drawing, or taking out: »the extraction of a tooth. 2. the state of being extracted. 3. racial, national, or family origin; lineage; descent: »Miss Del Rio is of Spanish… …   Useful english dictionary

  • pro|trac|tion — «proh TRAK shuhn», noun. 1. the act of drawing out; extension. 2. a drawing that has exactly the same proportions as the thing it represents. 3. something that is protracted or plotted; plot …   Useful english dictionary

  • re|trac|tion — «rih TRAK shuhn», noun. 1. the act of drawing or condition of being drawn back or in. 2. the act of taking back; withdrawal of a promise, statement, or the like: »The boy who accused her of cheating made a retraction of the charge. The newspaper… …   Useful english dictionary

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