momentumnoun [ U ]
uk/məˈmen.təm/us/məˈmen.t̬əm/C2 the force that keeps an object moving or keeps an event developing after it has started:
Once you push it, it keeps going under its own momentum.
The spacecraft will fly around the earth to gain/gather momentum for its trip to Jupiter.
The play loses momentum (= becomes less interesting, energetic, etc.) by its half way stage.
In an attempt to give new momentum to their plans, the committee set a date for starting detailed discussions.
More examples
- The campaign has been gaining momentum ever since the television appeal.
- Opposition to the tax has been gaining momentum.
- We got up the hill through sheer momentum.
- The campaign for an elected mayor seems to have lost momentum.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Physics: particular theories & concepts
- chaos theory
- cryogenics
- dark matter
- Doppler effect
- dynamics
- element
- kinetics
- locomotive
- Planck's constant
- quantum
- refraction
- relativity
- space-time
- spring constant
- string theory
- time warp
- wormhole
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Speed of motion