Meanings
verbgain momentum (third-person singular simple present gains momentum, present participle gaining momentum, simple past and past participle gained momentum)
present singular third person gains momentum · participle present gaining momentum · participle past gained momentum · past gained momentum
- literallyTo increase something's own speed while being acted on by gravity.
- idiomaticSynonym of gain ground (to further the progress of; to obtain an advantage)
Synonyms: gain ground
- idiomaticTo become popular among a large amount of people; to have many people participate in a trend or social movement.
The pilgrimage has gained momentum!
1983 April 12, “Pilgrimage”, in Murmur, performed by R.E.M.
Synonyms & antonyms
verbSynonym of gain ground (to further the progress of; to obtain an advantage)
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Cite this entry
APA
gain momentum. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gain%20momentum
MLA
“gain momentum.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gain%20momentum. Accessed November 5, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “gain momentum,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gain%20momentum.
Source: gain momentum on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.