ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Friction

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈfɹɪkʃən̩/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Friction is a noun meaning The rubbing of one object or surface against another.

Meaning

The rubbing of one object or surface against another.

More Meanings

  1. (physics) A force that resists the relative motion or tendency to such motion of two bodies in contact.
  2. (medicine, obsolete, countable) Massage of the body to restore circulation.
  3. (figuratively) Conflict, as between persons having dissimilar ideas or interests; clash.
  4. (China, historical) (Second Sino-Japanese War) Conflict, as between the Communists and non-Hanjian Kuomintang forces.

Example Sentences

The frictions should at first be very gentle, and performed with a view to restore heat, and not to force the blood towards the heart, which in drowned persons is already too much distended with it.
Secondly, When a body is once in motion it will continue to move forever, unless something stops it. When a ball is struck on the surface of the earth, the friction of the earth and the resistance of the air soon stop its motion.
The frictions are made at bedtime, on a limited portion of the body, and on one side only—the calf of the leg by preference, or the thigh, groin, or axilla. It is enough to continue rubbing for from three to five minutes at most.
Thais have been watching for signs of friction between the armed forces and the monarchy—the country's two biggest sources of political power—since the death in October of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Vajiralongkorn's long-reigning father.

Word Forms

Synonyms for friction

Depending on context, synonyms include clash, detrition, rubbing.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include detrition, clash, rubbing, attrition, abrasion, scratch.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.