Meaning & use

traction

noun·Everyday

The grip of a tire or shoe on a surface that allows movement without slipping.

See it in a sentence

The truck lost traction on the icy road and slid into the ditch.

New tires gave the car much better traction in the rain.

A note on using this word

Also used figuratively for gaining support or progress, as in 'the campaign finally gained traction.'

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

Growing acceptance, support, or progress for an idea, product, or effort.

The startup's app gained traction after a popular review went viral.

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