From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtractiontrac‧tion /ˈtrækʃən/ noun [uncountable] 1 MIthe process of treating a broken bone with special medical equipment that pulls itin traction He was in traction (=receiving this kind of treatment) for weeks after the accident.2 HPthe 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 TTthe type of power needed to make a vehicle move, or to pull a heavy load4 if a new idea or thing gains traction, it becomes accepted by or popular with more and more people The idea of changing the structure of the school year is gaining traction.
Examples from the Corpus
traction• The rigidity and traction of the EBs was far superior to spongy plimsolls.• Bigfoot gets better traction off the line and vaults the moguls, arriving first at the turn.• Rubber soles give the shoes better traction.• Centre-stage of the final weekend's events were two grand locomotive cavalcades each day which combined both steam and diesel traction.• The line ran several combinations of preserved diesel traction over its tracks during the two-day event.• It is important to keep the wheels rolling; rolling wheels have traction.• The practical result is improved traction and vehicle handling on slippery roads.• Locked-up wheels have no traction and slide.• Your front wheels are sliding; you must regain traction, grip.in traction• He was in traction for weeks after the accident.Origin traction (1600-1700) Medieval Latin tractio, from Latin trahere “to pull” 