What does moment mean?
A moment is a very short period of time, especially one marked by significance, emotion, or the possibility of action. In phrases such as 'at the moment' and 'for the moment,' it refers to the present or a temporary situation. The word can also describe a decisive instant, as in a 'moment of truth,' or an opportunity, as in 'this is your moment.' Although it is often used conversationally to mean an instant or brief pause, it has a precise technical use as a unit of time equal to one sixtieth of a minute. The word's long history connects it with the idea of movement and turning points: it derives from Latin momentum, meaning movement, force, or impetus, and came to suggest a brief, consequential point in time. Today it is useful whenever the significance or fleeting nature of an instant needs emphasis.
A very short period of time, especially one that is significant or noteworthy.
"The audience waited in tense silence for a moment."
Common in both formal and informal English. It often suggests that the period of time has some emotional, practical, or narrative importance.
A particular point in time or an opportunity to act.
"At that moment, the entire plan began to change."
When referring to an opportunity, it is often used in a somewhat emphatic or dramatic context, as in 'your moment.'
The regular plural is used for multiple brief periods of time, particular points in time, or opportunities.
"There were several moments in the conversation when everyone laughed."
The word moment began as a mathematical term for the force of movement or impulse, so its idea of a fleeting turning point grew from a physical sense of motion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does moment come from?
The English word 'moment' comes through French from Latin momentum, a term derived from mover, 'to move.' Latin momentum originally referred to movement, force, or impulse, and by extension to an instant or a point of time. English initially used the word in scientific contexts for a point in space or time before it developed its modern general sense of a brief period.
Related word forms
How moment is actually used
In everyday English, moment usually means a brief span of time and often implies that something significant is about to happen or has just happened. In technical writing, it can denote a precise unit of time or a point in a physical or mathematical process. The phrase 'for the moment' is common in both formal and informal contexts.
Easily confused with moment
A moment is a brief period of time, whereas momentum is the force or impetus that keeps something moving or developing.