inertia

[ in-ur-shuh, ih-nur- ]

noun

1. inertness, especially with regard to effort, motion, action, and the like; inactivity; sluggishness.

   Synonyms: laziness, inaction, torpor

2. Physics.
   1. the property of matter by which it retains its state of rest or its velocity along a straight line so long as it is not acted upon by an external force.
   2. an analogous property of a force:

      electric inertia.

3. Medicine/Medical. lack of activity, especially as applied to a uterus during childbirth when its contractions have decreased or stopped.

inertia

/ ɪnˈɜːʃə; -ʃɪə /

noun

1. the state of being inert; disinclination to move or act
2. physics
   1. the tendency of a body to preserve its state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force
   2. an analogous property of other physical quantities that resist change

      thermal inertia

inertia

/ ĭ-nûr′shə /

1. The resistance of a body to changes in its momentum. Because of inertia, a body at rest remains at rest, and a body in motion continues moving in a straight line and at a constant speed, unless a force is applied to it. Mass can be considered a measure of a body's inertia.
2. See more at Newton's laws of motionSee also mass

inertia

1. In physics , the tendency for objects at rest to remain at rest, and for objects in uniform motion to continue in motion in a straight line , unless acted on by an outside force . ( See Newton's laws of motion .)

Derived Forms

• inˈertial, adjective

Other Words From

• in·ertial adjective
• noni·nertial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inertia¹

First recorded in 1705–15; from Latin: “lack of skill, slothfulness”; inert, -ia

Example Sentences

Maybe they had been stung by reports of inertia, or the risk of Tuchel being a target for Manchester United, who spoke to the German coach in the summer.

From BBC

It has created an inertia which will only be solved by someone, perhaps the FA, showing their hand.

From BBC

Kaufman quotes Newton’s law of inertia when it comes to moviegoing habits: An object in motion stays in motion.

From Los Angeles Times

As an earthbound motorcyclist speeds around the cylinder, their inertia pushes them into the wall, creating an outward centrifugal force.

From Science Magazine

But when it comes to making anything new, we are gripped by near-total inertia.

From New York Times

Related Words

• apathy
• laziness
• paralysis
• passivity
• sluggishness