What does impulsion mean?
Impulsion is a formal and relatively uncommon noun meaning an impulse, impetus, or force that sets something in motion. In general use, it can refer to a motivating push behind an action, as in the impulsion provided by a discovery or persuasive speech. Its physical sense concerns the application of force or the change in motion that results, making it related to the more familiar scientific term impulse. Although the word remains part of formal and literary English, most speakers would choose “impetus” for a motivating force and “impulse” for a brief stimulus or physical effect. Understanding impulsion is useful because it emphasizes the initiating force or process behind change, rather than simply the immediate trigger that people commonly describe as an impulse.
nounAn impulse or impetus, especially a sudden force or motivation that sets something in motion. In physics, the term can refer to the action of applying a force or to the resulting change in an object's motion.
- A sudden impulse, impetus, or motivating force.
- In physics, an impulse or the action of impelling; historically, the effect of an applied force in producing motion.
"The impassioned speech provided the impulsion for the campaign to continue."
"The discovery gave a fresh impulsion to the young research team."
"The impulses in the mechanism transmitted the change in motion through the apparatus."
The plural is grammatically regular but rarely needed because the word itself is uncommon.
"Small impulses accumulated into a decisive change in direction."
The word “impulsion” captures the moment when a hidden urge becomes a decisive push toward action.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does impulsion come from?
Impulsion comes from Latin impulsio, a noun formed from impellere, meaning “to drive forward” or “to compel.” The Latin verb was related to pellere, “to drive” or “to strike,” and is also the source of English words such as impel, propel, expel, and repel. Impaĕlsio? no. English borrowed the Latin-derived form in the 16th century, initially in contexts involving physical force and later also in the sense of a moral or mental impetus.
How impulsion is actually used
Impulsion is uncommon in modern general English; “impulse” or “impetus” will usually sound more natural. It can sound formal or literary, while the physical sense is mainly used in technical or historical contexts.
Easily confused with impulsion
An impulse is usually a brief stimulus or change in momentum, whereas an impulsion emphasizes the force, impetus, or process that impels action.
Impulsion is a noun referring to an impulse or impetus, while impulsive is an adjective describing someone or something that acts without deliberation.