FRICTION

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does friction mean? 

• FRICTION (noun)
  The noun FRICTION has 3 senses:

1. a state of conflict between persons

2. the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

3. effort expended in moving one object over another with pressure

  Familiarity information: FRICTION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FRICTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A state of conflict between persons

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

clash; friction

Hypernyms ("friction" is a kind of...):

conflict (a state of opposition between persons or ideas or interests)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural phenomena

Synonyms:

friction; rubbing

Hypernyms ("friction" is a kind of...):

resistance (any mechanical force that tends to retard or oppose motion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "friction"):

abrasion; attrition; detrition; grinding (the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice)

adhesive friction; grip; traction (the friction between a body and the surface on which it moves (as between an automobile tire and the road))

Derivation:

frictional (pertaining to or worked or produced by friction)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Effort expended in moving one object over another with pressure

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

detrition; friction; rubbing

Hypernyms ("friction" is a kind of...):

effort; elbow grease; exertion; sweat; travail (use of physical or mental energy; hard work)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "friction"):

attrition (the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction)

Derivation:

frictional (pertaining to or worked or produced by friction)

 Context examples 

This friction would have also caused the tides to slightly lag behind their orbital positions.

(Cracks in Pluto's moon could indicate it once had an underground ocean, NASA)

She rubs everything that can be rubbed, until it shines, like her own honest forehead, with perpetual friction.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

A point of contact between moving parts designed for support or to reduce friction.

(Bearing Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

A cylindrical metal sleeve designed to reduce the friction of a rotating shaft.

(Bushing Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

A therapeutic method of manipulation, methodical pressure, friction, and kneading of the body.

(Massage therapy, NCI Thesaurus)

A painful injury to the epidermis due to chemical, friction, radiation or thermal exposure.

(First-Degree Burn, NCI Thesaurus)

Friction between ions and neutral particles heats the plasma even more, both in and around the spicules.

(Scientists Uncover Origins of the Sun’s Swirling Spicules, NASA)

The impact that created it likely was preceded by an explosion in the Martian sky caused by intense friction between an incoming asteroid and the planet's atmosphere.

(NASA Mars weathercam helps find big new crater, NASA)

They worked harshly in their sockets, with much friction, and each bending or unbending was accomplished only through a sheer exertion of will.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

This meant a soft trail, greater friction on the runners, and heavier pulling for the dogs; yet the drivers were fair through it all, and did their best for the animals.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)