traction

IPA: trˈækʃʌn

The act of pulling something along a surface using motive power.
The condition of being so pulled.
Grip.
The pulling power of an engine or animal.
The adhesive friction of a wheel etc on a surface.
(usually after forms of gain, get or have) Progress in or momentum toward achieving a goal, especially in gaining support, recognition, or popularity.
(business) The extent of adoption of a new product or service, typically measured in number of customers or level of revenue achieved.
(politics) Popular support.
(academia) Scholarly interest and research.
(medicine) A mechanically applied sustained pull, especially to a limb.
(transport) Collectively, the locomotives of a railroad, especially electric locomotives.

Examples of "traction" in Sentences

One New word that I predict will gain traction is “Palinize”.
Badger says: One New word that I predict will gain traction is “Palinize”.
Urquhart had hoped to gain traction in the Christine O'Donnell media frenzy.
Bottom line: I could tell no difference in traction between the two while wading.
And it looks as if the wheel must maintain traction with the ground to force rotation.
Charlie Crist has struggled to gain traction since leaving the GOP to run as an independent.
The single point where you get any traction is the well worn and pathetic racism charges and that only gains traction on the progressive side of the aisle.
President Rob Laybourn, who has worked hard to gain traction with the latter in the face of expensive travel requirements, looked forward to bringing the championships to his hometown.
Yesterday, Senate conservatives mostly repeated the same tired attacks that failed to gain traction earlier in the week, apparently thinking they could do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result.