trac ‧ tion /ˈtrækʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Medieval Latin ; Origin: tractio , from Latin trahere 'to pull' ]
1 . the process of treating a broken bone with special medical equipment that pulls it
in traction
He was in traction (=receiving this kind of treatment) for weeks after the accident.
2 . the force that prevents something such as a wheel sliding on a surface:
The tires were bald (=completely worn) and lost traction on the wet road.
3 . the type of power needed to make a vehicle move, or to pull a heavy load