Traction is a form of medical treatment, in which weights and pulleys are used to gently pull or stretch an injured part of the body for a period of time. You say that a person who is having this treatment is in traction.
Is there an alternative to traction for a broken leg?
Isabelle's legs were in traction for about two and a half weeks.
2. uncountable noun
Traction is a particular form of power that makes a vehicle move.
3. uncountable noun
Traction is the grip that something has on the ground, especially the wheels of a vehicle.
More Synonyms of traction
traction in British English
(ˈtrækʃən)
noun
1.
the act of drawing or pulling, esp by motive power
2.
the state of being drawn or pulled
3. medicine
the application of a steady pull on a part during healing of a fractured or dislocated bone, using a system of weights and pulleys or splints
4.
the adhesive friction between a wheel and a surface, as between a driving wheel of a motor vehicle and the road
5.
the quality of being influential or popular
Derived forms
tractional (ˈtractional)
adjective
tractive (ˈtræktɪv)
adjective
Word origin
C17: from Medieval Latin tractiō, from Latin tractus dragged; see tractile
traction in American English
(ˈtrækʃən)
noun
1.
a.
a pulling or drawing, esp. of a load, vehicle, etc. over a road, track, or other surface
b.
the state of being pulled or drawn
c.
the kind of power used for pulling or drawing
electric traction
2.
a.
a pulling, as of the muscles of the leg, arm, etc., in order to bring a fractured or dislocated bone into place
b.
a constant pull of this kind maintained by means of some apparatus, as for relieving pressure
3.
the power, as of tires on pavement, to grip or hold to a surface while moving, without slipping
Derived forms
tractional (ˈtractional)
adjective
Word origin
ML tractio < L tractus, pp. of trahere, to draw
traction in Automotive Engineering
(trækʃən)
noun
(Automotive engineering: Design and performance)
Traction is the grip that the wheels of a vehicle have on the ground.
The car began to skid as the wheels lost traction.
They deflated their tires slightly to increase traction where the sand was soft.
Traction is pulling force, which is not the same as power.
traction control
Examples of 'traction' in a sentence
traction
Lola ran her hand along the deep red paintwork on the traction engine's boiler.
Christina Jones TICKLED PINK (2002)
But she was his lover, and she knows all about traction engines, and she's crewed for him before on engines in the States.
Christina Jones TICKLED PINK (2002)
`Please," she begged, shaking with terror as the wheels lost traction.
St. James, Ian FINAL RESORT (2002)
Tim acquiesced to the manipulation, letting his sorrow re-form as anger; this provided him more traction.
Gregg Hurwitz THE KILL CLAUSE (2002)
1 (noun)
Definition
the grip that the wheels of a vehicle have on the ground
Rubber soles offer good traction on court.
Synonyms
grip
a new kind of rubber which gives tyres a better grip
resistance
friction
The pistons are graphite-coated to prevent friction.
adhesion
Better equipment will improve track adhesion.
purchase
I got a purchase on the rope and pulled.
2 (noun)
Definition
pulling, esp. by engine power
Synonyms
pulling
drawing
pull
He took a deep pull of his cigarette.
drag
draught
haulage
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adhesion
Definition
the quality or condition of sticking together
Better equipment will improve track adhesion.
Synonyms
sticking,
grip,
attachment,
cohesion,
coherence,
adherence,
adhesiveness
in the sense of draught
Synonyms
pulling,
drawing,
dragging,
traction,
haulage
in the sense of friction
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.