traction
/ˈtrækʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtrækʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtrak-shən/ (ame, mw)
traction — noun
1. how well a tyre or wheel holds the road without skidding, especially when a vehi
how well a tyre or wheel holds the road without skidding, especially when a vehicle is accelerating, turning, or braking.
Yuki lost traction on the icy road and her car slid into a fence.
collocation: lose traction
Winter tyres with deep treads provide better traction when driving in snow.
collocation: provide traction
The tractor's wide wheels had enough traction to move through the muddy field.
Ritu checked the tyre tread to ensure the car had enough traction for the trip.
文法句型
lose / gain / provide + traction
traction + on [surface]
用法筆記
Frequently appears with road, tyre, wheel, snow, mud, ice as context words. Often used in safety and driving discussions.
2. the movement of goods or equipment across the ground by pulling, typically using
the movement of goods or equipment across the ground by pulling, typically using an engine, animal, or other power source.
Electric traction powers many of the high-speed trains in Japan and Europe.
subject: electric traction
Before engines, horses were the main source of traction for farm work.
collocation: source of traction
The museum displayed an old steam-powered traction engine that pulled logs.
Christopher studied how traction systems help trains climb steep mountain routes.
文法句型
electric / steam / horse + traction
traction + engine / system / unit
用法筆記
Common in technical and historical texts about transport, engineering, and farming. Often paired with electric, steam, or horse as a modifier.
3. a medical procedure in which a broken or damaged bone is held in the correct pos
a medical procedure in which a broken or damaged bone is held in the correct position by a system of weights and pulleys that apply a steady, gentle pulling force.
After breaking his thigh bone, Eitan spent two weeks in traction at the hospital.
phrase: in traction
The doctor explained that skin traction would help realign the bones in her leg.
medical collocation: skin traction
Nurses checked the weights on the traction equipment each morning to ensure correct alignment.
Patients in traction often receive physiotherapy to prevent muscle weakness.
文法句型
in + traction
traction + device / equipment / unit
用法筆記
Typically used in the predicative phrase in traction to describe a patient's state. The equipment involved is called a traction device or traction apparatus.
4. the steady growth in support or acceptance that an idea, product, or movement ex
the steady growth in support or acceptance that an idea, product, or movement experiences as more people become interested in it.
The new ride-sharing app gained traction quickly among university students in Taipei.
collocation: gain traction
Despite a strong start, the campaign never really gained traction with older voters.
collocation: gain traction with [group]
The idea of a four-day working week is gaining traction in several European countries.
Karim's proposal failed to gain traction at the board meeting last month.
- momentum
emphasises forward progress and speed of growth
- popularity
focuses on being liked or widely used, not just gaining support
- acceptance
stresses being received and recognised as valid
- resistance
active opposition to an idea or product
- opposition
organised disagreement or pushback
文法句型
gain + traction
lose + traction
traction + with [group]
用法筆記
Almost always used with the verb gain (or occasionally lose). The subject is typically an idea, proposal, product, movement, campaign, or trend.