n.
Pronunciation: m ō - ' men-t ə m, m ə -
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural mo · men · ta \ - ' men-t ə \ or momentums
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, movement
Date: 1610
1 : a property of a moving body that the body has by virtue of its mass and motion and that is equal to the product of the body's mass and velocity broadly : a property of a moving body that determines the length of time required to bring it to rest when under the action of a constant force or moment
2 : strength or force gained by motion or through the development of events : IMPETUS <the campaign gained momentum >