Word
traction
Phoneticstrac·tion, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɹækʃən/
UK/tɹˈækʃən/
Definitions
01grip on a surface
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the grip or friction between a wheel or shoe and the ground that prevents slipping.
n. the adhesive friction of a wheel, tyre, or sole on a surface, enabling motion without slipping.
“The car lost traction on the icy road and slid into the grass.”
“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.
Antonyms
02popularity or momentum
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Business Academic
n. the degree to which a new idea, product, or political campaign becomes popular and starts to succeed.
n. the extent to which an idea, product, or movement gains acceptance, momentum, or market share.
“The startup's new app is finally gaining traction with younger users.”
“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'.
Synonyms
03medical pulling
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Medicine Technical
n. a medical treatment where a limb is pulled slowly and steadily to help a bone heal.
n. a sustained, mechanically applied pull on a limb or the spine to treat dislocations or fractures.
“He spent six weeks in traction after the accident to make sure his leg healed straight.”
“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'.
04to pull medically
C2 · Proficiency Medicine Technical · Formal
v. to use a machine or weights to pull a person's limb during medical treatment.
v. to apply a sustained mechanical pull to a limb or body part for therapeutic purposes.
“The nurses had to traction the patient's neck to relieve the pressure on his spine.”
“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.
Real-World Examples
“The Belovs’ case has gained political traction in neighbouring Norway.” “Lots of them had been set up several years before, but their content about Ceuta had gained more traction in recent weeks.” Etymology
From Medieval Latin tractio, from Latin tractus, perfect passive participle of verb trahere (“pull”), + noun of action suffix -io (genitive -ionis).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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