What does "traction" mean?

1. (grip on a surface) the grip or friction between a wheel or shoe and the ground that prevents slipping. 2. (popularity or momentum) the degree to which a new idea, product, or political campaign becomes popular and starts to succeed. 3. (medical pulling) a medical treatment where a limb is pulled slowly and steadily to help a bone heal. 4. (to pull medically) to use a machine or weights to pull a person's limb during medical treatment.

How do you use "traction"?

Uncountable in this sense. Often used with the verbs 'gain' or 'get'. Usually appears in the phrase 'in traction'. A transitive verb used primarily in clinical documentation.

traction

n. · v.

US //ˈtɹækʃən// UK //tɹˈækʃən// trac·tion

1 grip on a surface (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the grip or friction between a wheel or shoe and the ground that prevents slipping.

the adhesive friction of a wheel, tyre, or sole on a surface, enabling motion without slipping.

Example

The car lost traction on the icy road and slid into the grass.

Example

Newer tyre compounds are designed to maintain maximum traction even when heavy rain creates a layer of water on the asphalt.

Usage

Uncountable in this sense.
- slippage
2 popularity or momentum (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic Business

the degree to which a new idea, product, or political campaign becomes popular and starts to succeed.

the extent to which an idea, product, or movement gains acceptance, momentum, or market share.

Example

The startup's new app is finally gaining traction with younger users.

Example

Despite the initial lack of interest, the senator's proposal for tax reform began to gain significant traction among moderate voters.

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'gain' or 'get'.

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3 medical pulling (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

a medical treatment where a limb is pulled slowly and steadily to help a bone heal.

a sustained, mechanically applied pull on a limb or the spine to treat dislocations or fractures.

Example

He spent six weeks in traction after the accident to make sure his leg healed straight.

Example

The orthopaedic surgeon placed the patient's leg in traction to stabilise the femur before the scheduled operation.

Usage

Usually appears in the phrase 'in traction'.
- tension
- pulling
4 to pull medically (v.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Medicine

to use a machine or weights to pull a person's limb during medical treatment.

to apply a sustained mechanical pull to a limb or body part for therapeutic purposes.

Example

The nurses had to traction the patient's neck to relieve the pressure on his spine.

Example

The clinical protocol required the staff to traction the affected limb gently before applying the permanent cast.

Usage

A transitive verb used primarily in clinical documentation.
- pull
- stretch

Origin

From Medieval Latin tractio, from Latin tractus, perfect passive participle of verb trahere (“pull”), + noun of action suffix -io (genitive -ionis).