HomeServicesBlogDictionariesContactSpanish Course
← Back to search

Meaning of friction | Babel Free

Noun CEFR C2 Standard
ˈfɹɪkʃən̩

Definitions

  1. The rubbing of one object or surface against another.
    uncountable, usually
  2. rub
  3. A force that resists the relative motion or tendency to such motion of two bodies in contact.
    uncountable, usually
  4. Massage of the body to restore circulation.
    countable, obsolete, usually
  5. Conflict, as between persons having dissimilar ideas or interests; clash.
    figuratively, uncountable, usually
  6. (Second Sino-Japanese War) Conflict, as between the Communists and non-Hanjian Kuomintang forces.
    China, historical, uncountable, usually

Equivalents

Azərbaycanca sürtünmə
Català fricció
Čeština tření
Dansk friktion
Deutsch Reibung
Ελληνικά τριβή
Español fricción
Suomi hankaus kitka
Français friction frottement
हिन्दी घर्षण रगड़
Magyar súrlódás
Հայերեն շփում
Bahasa Indonesia gesekan
Íslenska núningur
Italiano attrito frizione
日本語 摩擦
한국어 마찰
Latina frictio
Te Reo Māori waku
മലയാളം ഉരസൽ ഘർഷണം
Bahasa Melayu geseran
Malti frizzjoni
Nederlands frictie wrijving
Polski tarcie
Português atrito fricção
Română frecare fricțiune
Svenska friktion
Kiswahili mkwaruzano
తెలుగు ఘర్షణ
Tagalog kiskis
Türkçe sürtünme
Українська тертя
Tiếng Việt ma sát

Examples

“Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame.”
“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 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.”
“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.”
“Once finances are stabilised, getting Crossrail finished is Byford's most obvious task. Late and over budget, it is causing unwanted headlines and friction between the London Mayor and the Department for Transport that both sides would rather live without.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

Learn this word in context

See friction used in real conversations inside our free language course.

Start Free Course

Know this word better than we do? Language is a living thing — help us keep it growing. Collaborate with Babel Free