# traction

/ˈtɹækʃən/ (US) · /tɹˈækʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/traction
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. grip on a surface

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. popularity or momentum

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

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

For teachers: 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'.

### 3. medical pulling

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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'.

### 4. to pull medically

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The new app is finally gaining traction among young users.
- Despite a strong launch, the political campaign failed to gain traction in the rural districts where voters remained skeptical.
- While the initial prototype was technically sound, it struggled to find market traction until the company pivoted its branding to emphasize environmental sustainability.

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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.