Impetus definition

ĭmpĭ-təs

Words form:

Frequency:

Anything that stimulates activity; driving force or motive; incentive; impulse.

noun

An impelling force; an impulse.

noun

The definition of impetus is the force that makes something happen or that makes a body move.

If someone calls you stupid and this prompts you to go back to college, this comment was an example of the impetus you needed to go back to college.

noun

The force with which a body moves against resistance, resulting from its mass and the velocity at which it is set in motion.

noun

The force or energy associated with a moving body.

noun

Something that impels, a stimulating factor.

The outbreak of World War II in 1939 gave a new impetus to receiver development.

noun

Something that incites; a stimulus.

noun

Increased activity in response to a stimulus.

The approaching deadline gave impetus to the investigation.

noun

A force, either internal or external, that impels; an impulse.

noun

The force or energy associated with a moving body; a stimulus.

noun

noun

Other Word Forms

Singular:

impetus

Plural:

impetuses

Middle English impetous from Latin impetus from impetere to attack in- against in–² petere to go towards, seek pet- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Latin impetus (“a rushing upon, an attack, assault, onset”), from impetere (“to rush upon, attack”), from in (“upon”) + petere (“to seek, fall upon”).

From Wiktionary