# impetus

/ˈɪmpətəs/ (US) · /ˈɪmpɛtəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impetus
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a stimulus for action

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the force or encouragement that makes a process start or happen more quickly.

For teachers: a stimulating factor or impulse that provides the motivation for a specific activity or development.

- The new government grant provided the impetus for the company to start its green energy project.
- The sudden collapse of the regional bank provided the necessary impetus for the government to overhaul financial regulations.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'for' or 'to'.

### 2. physical force

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the energy or power of a moving object.

For teachers: the force or energy associated with a moving body, often considered in terms of its momentum.

- The car's impetus carried it through the fence and into the field.
- The boulder gained impetus as it rolled down the steep slope, eventually crashing into the valley floor with immense force.

Usage: Uncountable in most scientific contexts.

## Examples

- The new law gave a fresh impetus to the project.
- The discovery of new evidence provided the necessary impetus for the police to reopen the cold case.
- While the initial funding was modest, the public outcry served as the primary impetus for the government to overhaul its environmental protection policies ahead of the international summit.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.