friction

[ frik-shuhn ]

noun

1. Physics. surface resistance to relative motion, as of a body sliding or rolling.
2. the rubbing of the surface of one body against that of another:

   Rubber on pavement has more friction than steel wheel on steel rail.

3. dissension or conflict between people, nations, etc., because of differing ideas, wishes, etc.:

   Friction between family members can escalate during a heat wave, as extreme weather can cause tempers to fray.

   Synonyms: contention, antagonism, clash, dissidence, discord

friction

/ ˈfrɪkʃən /

noun

1. a resistance encountered when one body moves relative to another body with which it is in contact
2. the act, effect, or an instance of rubbing one object against another
3. disagreement or conflict; discord
4. phonetics the hissing element of a speech sound, such as a fricative
5. perfumed alcohol used on the hair to stimulate the scalp

friction

/ frĭk′shən /

1. A force on objects or substances in contact with each other that resists motion of the objects or substances relative to each other.
2. ◆ Static friction arises between two objects that are not in motion with respect to each other, as for example between a cement block and a wooden floor. It increases to counterbalance forces that would move the objects, up to a certain maximum level of force, at which point the objects will begin moving. It is measured as the maximum force the bodies will sustain before motion occurs.
3. ◆ Kinetic friction arises between bodies that are in motion with respect to each other, as for example the force that works against sliding a cement block along a wooden floor. Between two hard surfaces, the kinetic friction is usually somewhat lower than the static friction, meaning that more force is required to set the objects in motion than to keep them in motion.
4. See also drag

friction

1. The resistance of an object to the medium through which or on which it is traveling, such as air, water, or a solid floor.

Derived Forms

• ˈfrictionless, adjective
• ˈfrictional, adjective

Other Words From

• fric·tion·less adjective
• fric·tion·less·ly adverb
• in·ter·fric·tion noun
• non·fric·tion noun
• self-fric·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of friction¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin frictiōn-, stem of frictiō “a rubbing,” from frict(us) “rubbed” (past participle of fricāre “to rub”) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of friction¹

C16: from French, from Latin frictiō a rubbing, from fricāre to rub, rub down; related to Latin friāre to crumble

Example Sentences

The benefits for advertisers who reduce friction in the consumer journey are numerous, and they include the following outcomes.

From Digiday

Governments are also reducing the frictions, fees, and charges that bog down the system.

From MIT Technology Review

There is only pressure and friction on the surface of the wing—also on the rest of the aircraft, but for the purposes of thinking about gliding, it’s enough to consider only the wing.

From Popular-Science

Using a computer model, the team then calculated the friction each pattern would produce on ice, vinyl or hardwood floors.

From Science News For Students

That reduces friction and lets the molecules slide past each other more easily.

From Science News For Students

Higher shipping costs mean additional friction for companies working in the Canadian oil sands.

From The Daily Beast

But as Garfield on television gained in popularity, the Peanuts connection became a source of friction.

From The Daily Beast

The friction between Israelis and Palestinians is more than 60 years old, with the UN in the middle.

From The Daily Beast

Due to heavy friction with the producers, the project fell through.

From The Daily Beast

The media is going to want a horse race, and it is going to create friction between the base and her record.

From The Daily Beast

The controlling leaders being out of gear the machine did not run smoothly: there was nothing but friction and tension.

From Project Gutenberg

There were usually six joints or sources of friction, between the key and the pallet.

From Project Gutenberg

This, of course, increased the friction and necessitated the use of a still stronger spring.

From Project Gutenberg

This of itself, without the friction, or load of water, is far more duty than ever was done before by an engine.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile great friction arose between the general and his new commander-in-chief.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• animosity
• antagonism
• bad blood
• bickering
• conflict
• discontent
• discord
• disharmony
• dispute
• dissension
• hassle
• hatred
• hostility
• quarrel
• resentment
• resistance
• rivalry
• strife
• trouble
• wrangling