If there is friction between people, there is disagreement and argument between them.
Sara sensed that there had been friction between her children.
The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.
2. uncountable noun
Friction is the force that makes it difficult for things to move freely when they are touching each other.
The pistons are graphite-coated to reduce friction.
Synonyms: resistance, rubbing, scraping, grating More Synonyms of friction
3. uncountable noun
Friction is the rubbing of one object against another.
...the friction of his leg against hers.
More Synonyms of friction
friction in British English
(ˈfrɪkʃən)
noun
1.
a resistance encountered when one body moves relative to another body with which it is in contact
2.
the act, effect, or an instance of rubbing one object against another
3.
disagreement or conflict; discord
4. phonetics
the hissing element of a speech sound, such as a fricative
5.
perfumed alcohol used on the hair to stimulate the scalp
Derived forms
frictional (ˈfrictional)
adjective
frictionless (ˈfrictionless)
adjective
Word origin
C16: from French, from Latin frictiō a rubbing, from fricāre to rub, rub down; related to Latin friāre to crumble
friction in American English
(ˈfrɪkʃən)
noun
1.
a rubbing, esp. of one object against another
2.
disagreement or conflict because of differences of opinion, temperament, etc.
3. Mechanics
the resistance to motion of two moving objects or surfaces that touch
Derived forms
frictionless (ˈfrictionless)
adjective
Word origin
Fr < L frictio < pp. of fricare, to rub: see friable
friction in Mechanical Engineering
(frɪkʃən)
noun
(Mechanical engineering: General)
Friction is the force that stops two bodies or substances that are touching from moving against each other smoothly.
Friction between two metal parts can be reduced by using oil.
Friction is created by the pads rubbing against the rotor.
Friction is the force that stops two bodies or substances that are touching from moving againsteach other smoothly.
friction clutch
Related wordsCompare friction with wear, which is the process in which material is gradually removed from one or more surfacesin contact, and lubrication, which is a substance added between surfaces that are moving against each other inorder to reduce friction and wear.
Examples of 'friction' in a sentence
friction
Her close aides have also caused friction.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You could increase the friction by making it a joint account.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
A weekly ration of meat, she suggests, would cause less friction and inconvenience.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We wonder whether her continuing success and bulging pay packet causes any friction in her marriage.
The Sun (2014)
This time he cannot allow the friction to burn so freely.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Treat with blister plasters to reduce friction.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Too much friction will damage the skin.
The Sun (2014)
This potentially cause some friction between and consumer.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This reduces friction and makes the train immune to frozen points and leaves on the line.
The Sun (2015)
Little practices gone wrong cause much unnecessary friction.
Christianity Today (2000)
But in the past that closeness caused friction.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Anything else that reduces friction is a good idea.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Knowing how much friction is needed and when to apply it is the skill successful leaders must master.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
My elbow already has a couple of friction burns and there is a hairline cut down my right thigh.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Gone are the awful friction issues.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Too much friction and it seizes.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
If they did, there would be less friction.
The Sun (2014)
The resulting friction causes them to burn up, and in some cases form a fireball.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Not that borrowing clothes doesn't sometimes cause friction.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This is better than one thicker sock as it reduces friction on the skin and encourages a warm layer of air between them.
The Sun (2010)
We had to avoid too much friction, because they would rub off.
The Sun (2009)
The motor does not use carbon brushes like conventional devices, which cause friction and consume more energy.
The Sun (2009)
In other languages
friction
British English: friction NOUN
If there is friction between people, there is disagreement and argument between them.
Sara sensed that there had been friction between her children.
American English: friction
Brazilian Portuguese: fricção
Chinese: > 摩擦 人与人之间的
European Spanish: fricción
French: friction
German: Reibereien
Italian: attrito
Japanese: もめごと
Korean: 불화
European Portuguese: fricção
Latin American Spanish: fricción
All related terms of 'friction'
friction feed
a device for feeding paper into a printer by gripping sheets between rollers
friction rub
the sound, heard through a stethoscope , made by the rubbing together of the two inflamed layers of pericardium in patients with pericarditis or of pleura in patients with pleurisy
friction tape
adhesive tape , impregnated with a moisture-repelling substance, used to insulate exposed electrical conductors
skin friction
the friction acting on a solid body when it is moving through a fluid
friction clutch
a mechanical clutch in which the drive is transmitted by the friction between surfaces , lined with cork , asbestos , or other fibrous materials , attached to the driving and driven shafts
friction layer
the atmospheric layer extending up to about 600 m, in which the aerodynamic effects of surface friction are appreciable
friction match
a match that ignites as a result of the heat produced by friction when it is struck on a rough surface
friction welding
a form of welding in which the welding heat is generated by pressure and relative movement at the interface in the area of the weld
rolling friction
frictional resistance to rotation or energy losses in rolling bearings
sliding friction
frictional resistance to relative movement of surfaces on loaded contact
angle of friction
the angle of a plane to the horizontal when a body placed on the plane will just start to slide . The tangent of the angle of friction is the coefficient of static friction
surface friction drag
the part of the drag on a body moving through a fluid that is dependent on the nature of the surface of the body
coefficient of friction
the force required to move two sliding surfaces over each other, divided by the force holding them together. It is reduced once the motion has started
friction reducing agent
A friction reducing agent is an additive used to reduce friction exerted downhole on tools and pipes .
insulating tape
adhesive tape , impregnated with a moisture-repelling substance, used to insulate exposed electrical conductors
Chinese translation of 'friction'
friction
(ˈfrɪkʃən)
n(u)
(Phys, = resistance) 摩擦力 (mócālì)
(= rubbing) 摩擦 (mócā)
(fig, = conflict) (also frictions)
冲(衝)突 (chōngtū)
1 (noun)
Definition
disagreement or conflict
There was friction between the children.
Synonyms
conflict
Try to keep any conflict between you and your sibling to a minimum.
opposition
Much of the opposition to this plan has come from the media.
hostility
hostility among traditionalists to this method of teaching history
resentment
Rigid policing can only feed resentment and undermine confidence.
disagreement
My instructor and I had a brief disagreement.
rivalry
He had a lot of rivalry with his brother.
discontent
wrangling
bickering
animosity
There's a long history of animosity between the two nations.
antagonism
There is much antagonism between the two teams.
discord
He foments discord among the allies.
bad feeling
There's been some bad feeling between them.
bad blood
There is, it seems, some bad blood between them.
dissension
a great deal of dissension within the armed forces
incompatibility
Incompatibility between mother and baby's blood group may cause jaundice.
disharmony
examples of disharmony within society
dispute
There has been much dispute over the ownership of the lease.
2 (noun)
Definition
a resistance encountered when one body moves relative to another body with which it is in contact
The pistons are graphite-coated to prevent friction.
Synonyms
resistance
rubbing
scraping
grating
irritation
erosion
an erosion of moral standards
fretting
attrition
rasping
chafing
abrasion
The sole of the shoe should be designed to take constant abrasion.
wearing away
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abrasion
Definition
the erosion of rock by rock fragments scratching and scraping it
The sole of the shoe should be designed to take constant abrasion.
Synonyms
rubbing,
wear,
scratching,
scraping,
grating,
friction,
scouring,
attrition,
corrosion,
wearing down,
erosion,
scuffing,
chafing,
grinding down,
wearing away,
abrading
in the sense of animosity
Definition
a powerful dislike or hostility
There's a long history of animosity between the two nations.
Synonyms
hostility,
hate,
hatred,
resentment,
bitterness,
malice,
antagonism,
antipathy,
enmity,
acrimony,
rancour,
bad blood,
ill will,
animus,
malevolence,
virulence,
malignity
in the sense of antagonism
Definition
openly expressed hostility
There is much antagonism between the two teams.
Synonyms
hostility,
competition,
opposition,
conflict,
rivalry,
contention,
friction,
discord,
antipathy,
dissension
Synonyms of 'friction'
friction
Explore 'friction' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of opposition
Definition
hostility, resistance, or disagreement
Much of the opposition to this plan has come from the media.
Synonyms
hostility,
resistance,
resentment,
disapproval,
obstruction,
animosity,
aversion,
antagonism,
antipathy,
obstructiveness,
counteraction,
contrariety
in the sense of resentment
Rigid policing can only feed resentment and undermine confidence.