countable a particular point in time when something happens
Jane began to speak, but at the same moment Helen appeared.
If only he had not chosen that moment to walk into the room.
very/precise/exact moment:
At that precise moment there was a knock on the door.
(up) until that moment:
Ellie had never reallygiven it much thought up until that moment.
Synonyms and related words
Moments and short periods of time
moment
second
instant
1a
a point in time when something important, special, or unusual happens
moment of:
This is the proudest moment of my career.
Synonyms and related words
Moments and short periods of time
moment
second
instant
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with moment
▪ critical, crucial, exact, key, precise, right, very
2
countable a very short period of time
He paused for a few moments before giving his answer.
brief moment:
For a brief moment their eyes met.
spare moment (=when you are not busy):
He studied in every spare moment he could find.
Synonyms and related words
Moments and short periods of time
moment
second
instant
3
countable usually singulara short period of time when you have the opportunity to do something
the right moment:
This is surely the right moment to makeamends.
big moment (=a chance to show how good you are at something):
As he stood up, James knew his big moment had arrived.
seize the moment:
I saw he was alone and seized the moment.
Synonyms and related words
Opportunities
opportunity
chance
choice
4
singular/uncountable physicsthe tendency of a force to cause a load to move. It is measured by multiplying the force by the distance from the fulcrum.
Synonyms and related words
Physical forces and processes
absorbance
air resistance
amplitude
phrases
any moment (now)
at the moment
at this moment in time
for the moment
from the moment (that)
have its/your moments
in a moment
just/wait a moment
the last (possible) moment
the moment of truth
not a moment too soon
not for a/one moment
of the moment
someone/something will take/be a moment
moment
noun countable
US /ˈmoʊmənt/
Other entries for this word
junior momentnoun
in a momentphrase
senior momentnoun
at the momentphrase
of the momentphrase
teachable momentnoun
any moment (now)phrase
light bulb momentphrase
odd minute/momentphrase
never a dull momentphrase
just/wait a momentphrase
the moment of truthphrase
spur-of-the-momentadjective
live for/in the momentphrase
at this moment in timephrase
from the moment (that)phrase
not a moment too soonphrase
not for a/one momentphrase
at the last moment/minutephrase
the last (possible) momentphrase
more dictionary definitions
Word Forms
singular
moment
plural
moments
DEFINITIONS3
1
a very short period of time
“I see your problem,” said George after a moment’s reflection.
He paused for a few moments before giving his answer.
brief moment:
For a brief moment their eyes met.
spare moment (=when you are not busy):
He studied in every spare moment he could find.
for a few moments:
They fellsilent for a few moments as they drank their coffee.
for a moment:
He leaned against me for a moment and sobbed.
a moment longer:
She looked back at him a moment longer, then smiled.
Synonyms and related words
Moments and short periods of time
moment
second
instant
2
a particular point in time when something happens
Jane began to speak, but at the same moment Helen appeared.
If only he had not chosen that moment to walk into the room.
very/precise/exact moment:
At that precise moment there was a knock on the door.
until that moment:
Ellie had never reallygiven it much thought until that moment.
Synonyms and related words
Moments and short periods of time
moment
second
instant
2a
a point in time when something important, special, or unusual happens
moment of:
This is the proudest moment of my career.
a very poignant moment in literaryhistory
moment of triumph/glory:
In her mind she replayed her moment of triumph.
Synonyms and related words
Moments and short periods of time
moment
second
instant
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with moment
▪ critical, crucial, exact, key, precise, right, very
3
usually singulara short period of time when you have the opportunity to do something
the right moment:
This is surely the right moment to makeamends.
seize the moment:
I saw he was alone and seized the moment.
big moment (=a chance to show how good you are at something):
As he stood up, James knew his big moment had arrived.