momentum
driving force that keeps progress going
The force or energy that makes a plan, event, or group keep going and grow stronger or faster.
the momentum of [a process/activity]
- The campaign gained momentum after the first televised debate.
- Once the project started to show results, it picked up momentum across the company.
- They are trying to maintain the momentum of the reforms through the next election.
- The team lost momentum after the break and never fully recovered.
- Social media gave the protest movement new momentum.
- Our new product is starting to gain momentum.
- The team won three games in a row and now has real momentum.
- We must keep the momentum going until we finish the job.
- The movement lost momentum when its leader left.
- The movie’s success gave momentum to the young director’s career.
force of a moving object
The power of movement that a moving thing has because it is heavy and fast, which makes it hard to stop.
the momentum of [a moving object/body]
- The car had so much momentum that it slid another ten meters after the driver hit the brakes.
- Using his forward momentum, the skater glided smoothly across the ice.
- The cyclist used the downhill momentum to get halfway up the next hill.
- She lost her momentum on the stairs and had to stop to catch her breath.
- The ball bounced off the wall and changed direction, but it kept most of its momentum.
- The train’s momentum carried it far past the station.
- The runner used his momentum to cross the finish line.
- The heavy box rolled down the ramp with great momentum.
- When the car hit the ice, it kept its momentum and slid forward.
- The truck slowed down but did not lose all of its momentum.
physics: mass times velocity
In physics, a measure of motion that you get when you multiply how heavy something is by how fast and in what direction it is moving.
the momentum of [an object/particle/system]
- According to the principle of conservation of momentum, the total momentum of the system remains constant.
- The momentum of the particle is given by the equation p = mv.
- In the collision, momentum is transferred from the moving car to the stationary barrier.
- Angular momentum must also be conserved when the figure skater pulls in her arms.
- They calculated the electron’s momentum based on its measured velocity.
- In this physics class, we learn that momentum equals mass times velocity.
- The total momentum before and after the crash stays the same.
- A very heavy truck moving slowly can have more momentum than a light car moving fast.
- When two balls hit each other, they share their momentum.
- The teacher draws an arrow on the board to show the direction of momentum.
- Base: momentum
- Plural: momenta, momentum, momentums
a shift in momentum
1change in who has advantage
A moment when the main progress or advantage moves from one person, team, or side to another.
- The late goal marked a clear shift in momentum toward the home team.
- After the company’s strong quarterly results, there was a shift in momentum in favor of its long-term strategy.
build momentum
1gradually increase progress speed
To slowly make an activity or plan move faster or become stronger over a period of time.
- The team is trying to build momentum before the playoffs.
- We need to build momentum early in the year if we want to hit our sales targets.
lose momentum
1slow down or weaken
To move, grow, or develop more slowly than before, or to become less strong or less active.
- The project lost momentum after the main sponsor pulled out.
- Their attack lost momentum in the second half of the game.
maintain momentum
1keep progress moving strongly
To continue at the same level of speed or strength, without slowing down or stopping.
- It will be difficult to maintain momentum after such a strong start to the year.
- Daily practice helps you maintain momentum when learning a language.
gain momentum
1start developing faster or growing stronger
To begin moving faster or becoming more successful.
- The campaign is gaining momentum as election day approaches.
- The movement began on campus but really gained momentum after it went viral online.
- His career began to gain momentum after the award.
- His small business gained momentum once customers started recommending it to friends.