What does pulsion mean?
Pulsion denotes a recurring beat, throb, or forceful impulse. It may describe a physical movement, as in the pulsation of an engine or waves, or, more figuratively, an inner drive that urges someone or something onward. The word has a forceful, slightly literary quality and is considerably less common than pulse, throb, beat, or impulse. Its uses often suggest repetition, energy, and forward motion rather than a single push. Although understandable in contemporary writing, pulsion is encountered mainly in formal, technical, or older English, so familiar synonyms will often sound more natural. The term is especially useful when an author wants to emphasize both the repetitive character of a movement and its driving force.
A beating, throbbing, or repeated impulse.
"The steady pulsion of the engine vibrated through the floor."
This sense is uncommon and is chiefly used in formal or technical writing.
A strong impulse toward action or movement.
"Her determination gave her a renewed pulsion to continue despite the setbacks."
This figurative sense has a literary character and is rarely used in everyday speech.
The plural is rare but follows the regular English pattern for a noun ending in -ion.
"Small pulsions passed through the surface of the water."
Pulsion is the forceful vocabulary cousin of the familiar pulse.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pulsion come from?
Pulsion comes from Latin pulsio, a noun derived from pulsus, the past participle of pellere, meaning to beat or strike. The same Latin root underlies English words including pulse, pulsate, and propulsion. Pulsion entered English with a general sense of beating or driving and developed the figurative meaning of an impulse toward action.
Related word forms
How pulsion is actually used
Pulsion is uncommon in modern English. It is chiefly literary or technical, and the ordinary words pulse, throb, and impulse are usually more natural.