impulse

im·pulse

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noun

The definition of an impulse is a strong urge or unexplainable urge.

An example of impulse is when you suddenly have the urge to go to Vegas.
An example of impulse is when you purchase something without thinking about it.

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"impulse." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/IMPULSE>.

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impulse. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/IMPULSE

impulse

1. an impelling, or driving forward with sudden force
2. an impelling force; sudden, driving force; push; thrust; impetus
3. the motion or effect caused by such a force
1. incitement to action arising from a state of mind or some external stimulus
2. a sudden inclination to act, usually without premeditation: often used attributively: an impulse purchase
3. a motive or tendency coming from within: prompted by an impulse of curiosity
Elec. a momentary surge in one direction of voltage or current
Mech. the change in momentum effected by a force, measured by multiplying the average value of the force by the time during which it acts
Physiol. the progressive wave of excitation over a muscle or nerve fiber, which causes or inhibits activity in the body

Origin of impulse

Classical Latin impulsus from past participle of impellere: see impel

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"impulse." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/IMPULSE>.

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impulse. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/IMPULSE

impulse

noun

a. An impelling force; an impetus.
b. The motion produced by such a force.
A sudden wish or urge that prompts an unpremeditated act or feeling; an abrupt inclination: had an impulse to run away; an impulse of regret that made me hesitate; bought a hat on impulse.
A motivating force or tendency: “Respect for the liberty of others is not a natural impulse in most men” ( Bertrand Russell )
Electronics A surge of electrical power in one direction.
Physics The product obtained by multiplying the average value of a force by the time during which it acts. The impulse equals the change in momentum produced by the force in this time interval.
Physiology The electrochemical transmission of a signal along a nerve fiber that produces an excitatory or inhibitory response at a target tissue, such as a muscle or another nerve.

adjective

Characterized by impulsiveness or acting on impulse: an impulse shopper; impulse buying.

Origin of impulse

Latin impulsus from past participle of impellere to impel ; see impel .

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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"impulse." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/IMPULSE>.

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impulse. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/IMPULSE

A sudden flow of electrical current in one direction.
An electrical signal traveling along the axon of a neuron. Nerve impulses excite or inhibit activity in other neurons or in the tissues of the body, such as muscles and glands.
The change of momentum of a body or physical system over a time interval in classical mechanics, equal to the force applied times the length of the time interval over which it is applied.

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"impulse." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/IMPULSE>.

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impulse. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/IMPULSE

Noun

(plural impulses)

A thrust; a push; a sudden force that impels.
A wish or urge, particularly a sudden one prompting action.
The impulse to learn drove me to study night and day.
When I saw the new dictionary, I couldn't resist the impulse to browse through it.
(physics) The integral of force over time.
The total impulse from the impact will depend on the kinetic energy of the bullet.

Related terms

impel
impulsion
impulsive
impulsively
impulsiveness
impulsor
pulse

Verb

(third-person singular simple present impulses, present participle impulsing, simple past and past participle impulsed)

(obsolete) To impel; to incite.

Origin

From Middle French impulser, from Latin impulsus.

For spelling, as in pulse, the -e (on -lse) is so the end is pronounced /ls/, rather than /lz/ as in pulls, and does not change the vowel (‘u’). Compare else, false, convulse.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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MLA Style

"impulse." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/IMPULSE>.

APA Style

impulse. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/IMPULSE

impulse - Medical Definition

n.

Physiology The electrochemical transmission of a signal along a nerve fiber that produces an excitatory or inhibitory response at a target tissue, such as a muscle or another nerve.