traction

plural tractions

1. uncountableusuallyThe act of pulling something along a surface using motive power.

   Horse traction was used for all but 23 years of the tramway's life.

   1960 January 28, Iain D. O. Frew, “The Brora Colliery Tramway”, in Railway Magazine, page 57

2. uncountableusuallyThe condition of being so pulled.
3. uncountableusuallyGrip.
4. uncountableusuallyThe pulling power of an engine or animal.
5. uncountableusuallyThe adhesive friction of a wheel etc on a surface.
6. uncountableusuallyget or haveProgress in or momentum toward achieving a goal, especially in gaining support, recognition, or popularity.

   I could not get any traction in trying to push through the legislation.

   1. uncountableusuallyget or havebusinessThe extent of adoption of a new product or service, typically measured in number of customers or level of revenue achieved.
   2. uncountableusuallyget or havegovernmentPopular support.
   3. uncountableusuallyget or haveacademiaScholarly interest and research.

      Despite this somewhat late start, the field of study has gained great traction globally, and since 2015 has even had its own journal: Linguistic Landscape: An International Journal.

      2019, Li Huang, James Lambert, “Another Arrow for the Quiver: A New Methodology for Multilingual Researchers”, in Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, →DOI, page 2

7. uncountableusuallymedicineA mechanically applied sustained pull, especially to a limb.
8. uncountableusuallytransportCollectively, the locomotives of a railroad, especially electric locomotives.
9. obsoleteuncountableusuallyA traction engine.

   ‘Well,’ McCarthy answered, with a broad smile, when Dan stopped the puffing traction before his door[.]

   1911, ‘Steel Rudd’, The Book of Dan, Brisbane: University of Queensland Press, published 1970, page 1

present singular third person tractions · participle present tractioning · participle past tractioned · past tractioned

1. transitivemedicineTo apply a sustained pull to (a limb, etc.).