If a process or movement gains momentum, it keeps developing or happening more quickly and keeps becoming less likely to stop.
This campaign is really gaining momentum.
They are each anxious to maintain the momentum of the search for a solution.
Synonyms: impetus, force, power, drive More Synonyms of momentum
2. uncountable noun
In physics, momentum is the mass of a moving object multiplied by its speed in a particular direction.
[technical]
momentum in British English
(məʊˈmɛntəm)
nounWord forms: plural-ta (-tə) or -tums
1. physics
the product of a body's mass and its velocity
Symbol: p. See also angular momentum
2.
the impetus of a body resulting from its motion
3.
driving power or strength
Word origin
C17: from Latin: movement; see moment
Momentum in British English
(məʊˈmɛntəm)
noun
(in Britain) a grass-roots campaigning group operating within the Labour Party
momentum in American English
(moʊˈmɛntəm; məˈmɛntəm)
nounWord forms: pluralmoˈmentums or moˈmenta (moʊˈmɛntə)
1.
the impetus of a moving object
2.
strength or force that keeps growing
a campaign that gained momentum
3. Physics and Mechanics
the product of the mass of a particle, body, etc. and its velocity
abbrev. M
Word origin
ModL < L: see moment
momentum in Mechanical Engineering
(moʊmɛntəm)
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Mechanics and dynamics)
The momentum of a moving body is its mass multiplied by its velocity.
Although the train and the car were moving at the same speed, the momentum of the train was much higher.
If too much power is applied to the front brake, the momentum of the rider propels him or her over the handlebars.
The momentum of a moving body is its mass multiplied by its velocity.
COBUILD Collocations
momentum
forward momentum
upward momentum
Examples of 'momentum' in a sentence
momentum
But he has struggled to keep up the momentum this campaign.
The Sun (2016)
The business and brand continue to gain momentum.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It has shot up the charts and will continue to gain momentum right up to the big day.
The Sun (2016)
But hopefully we can gain momentum under Gareth.
The Sun (2016)
The move was helped by the manufacturing and services sectors, which gained momentum towards the end of last year.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
But within a toxic relationship, a speculative plan may gain its own momentum: who is going to blink first?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Q Can reform momentum be maintained, and what are your priorities now?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Similarly you can ease off the power and use momentum to get you up the next hill.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The first crucial lesson is to get early momentum for the campaign.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This positive momentum is likely to continue.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Not wanting to rock the boat and maintaining momentum does not really wash.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We have gained momentum in our performances and results.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The academy movement has real momentum and it is the future.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Those four overs changed the momentum of the game and won the match.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The heavily indebted stock made ground gradually throughout the morning before really gaining momentum around lunch time.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The campaign is gaining momentum with new initiatives in both vocational and skills training coming from government.
Thompson, Sir Peter Sharing the Success - the story of NFC (1990)
But the momentum is likely to fade for many.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is vital we maintain the momentum of the search.
The Sun (2012)
This has been going on for a while but it is gaining momentum.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Momentum results from movement against the inertia.
Christianity Today (2000)
The goal suggested a change in momentum.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They were losing momentum, impetus and rhythm as the seconds ticked away on the giant clock.
The Sun (2016)
They are continually entering with cumulative force into a mood until it gets the mass and momentum of a theory or a motive.
George Eliot Daniel Deronda (1876)
Large concentrations of refugees have political momentum, power and gravity.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
An avalanche is a better metaphor, conveying the right mix of mass and momentum.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The simple fact is that there is suddenly big momentum in pan-European power consolidation, with a substantial weight of money and political support behind it.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
momentum
British English: momentum NOUN
If a process or movement gains momentum, it keeps developing or happening more quickly and keeps becoming less likely to stop.
This campaign is really gaining momentum.
American English: momentum
Brazilian Portuguese: força
Chinese: 势头
European Spanish: ímpetu
French: élan
German: Schwung
Italian: slancio
Japanese: 勢い
Korean: 탄력
European Portuguese: força
Latin American Spanish: ímpetu
Chinese translation of 'momentum'
momentum
(məuˈmɛntəm)
n(u)
[of events, change, political movement]势(勢)头(頭) (shìtóu)
(Phys) 动(動)量 (dòngliàng)
to gather or gain momentum[process]势(勢)头(頭)增长(長) (shìtóu zēngzhǎng) [object, vehicle]积(積)聚动(動)力 (jījù dònglì)
(noun)
Definition
the impetus to go forward, develop, or get stronger
This campaign is really gaining momentum.
Synonyms
impetus
This decision will give renewed impetus to economic regeneration.
force
slamming the door behind her with all her force
power
He had no power in his left arm.
drive
He is best remembered for his drive and enthusiasm.
push (informal)
He lacked the push to succeed in his chosen vocation.
energy
He was saving his energy for the big race in Belgium.
strength
He was surprised at the strength of his own feeling.
thrust
It provides the thrust that makes the craft move forward.
propulsion
For some time electric propulsion has been seen as a possible answer.
go-forward
welly (slang)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of drive
Definition
energy, ambition, or initiative
He is best remembered for his drive and enthusiasm.
Synonyms
initiative,
push (informal),
energy,
enterprise,
ambition,
pep,
motivation,
zip (informal),
vigour,
welly (slang),
get-up-and-go (informal)
in the sense of energy
Definition
capacity for intense activity
He was saving his energy for the big race in Belgium.
Synonyms
strength,
might,
force,
power,
activity,
intensity,
stamina,
exertion,
forcefulness
in the sense of force
Definition
strength or power
slamming the door behind her with all her force
Synonyms
power,
might,
pressure,
energy,
stress,
strength,
impact,
muscle,
momentum,
impulse,
stimulus,
vigour,
potency,
dynamism,
welly (slang),
life
Synonyms of 'momentum'
momentum
Explore 'momentum' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of power
Definition
political, financial, or social force or authority
He had no power in his left arm.
Synonyms
strength,
might,
energy,
weight,
muscle,
vigour,
potency,
welly (slang),
brawn,
hard power
in the sense of propulsion
Definition
the act of propelling or the state of being propelled
For some time electric propulsion has been seen as a possible answer.
Synonyms
power,
pressure,
push,
thrust,
momentum,
impulse,
impetus,
motive power,
impulsion,
propelling force
in the sense of push
Definition
drive or determination
He lacked the push to succeed in his chosen vocation.
Synonyms
drive,
go (informal),
energy,
initiative,
enterprise,
ambition,
determination,
pep,
vitality,
vigour,
dynamism,
welly (slang),
get-up-and-go (informal),
gumption (informal)
in the sense of strength
Definition
degree of intensity or concentration of colour, light, sound, or flavour
He was surprised at the strength of his own feeling.
Synonyms
force,
power,
intensity,
energy,
depth,
vehemence,
intenseness
in the sense of thrust
Definition
a force, esp. one that produces motion
It provides the thrust that makes the craft move forward.