momentum
moh-MEN-tum
/moʊˈmentəm/
The impetus or driving force gained by a team through a series of successful plays.
In sports, momentum is psychological as much as physical; it’s the 'feeling' that one team is becoming unstoppable.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'movimentum,' meaning 'movement' or 'moving power.' It describes the 'weight' behind a team's progress.
Word relationships
- impetus: Impetus is the initial spark; momentum is the continued force of that spark.
- inertia: Inertia is the tendency to remain unchanged or stuck in place.
Commonly confused with
- velocity: Velocity is just speed in a direction; momentum is mass (or power) in motion.
Word family
- momentous (adjective): Of great importance or significance.
Collocations
- gain momentum
- lose momentum
- shift in momentum
- swing of momentum
Example sentences
- "After the home team scored two quick goals, the momentum shifted entirely in their favor." Sports commentary
- "The timeout was called specifically to break the opposing team's momentum." Basketball
Memory hook
Momentum happens in the 'moment' when everything starts going right. The rolling stone.
When not to use
Avoid using it for a single lucky play; it implies a sustained period of dominance.
Fun facts
- In physics, momentum is mass times velocity; in sports, it's often described as 'the big mo.'
Related words
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