inertia

noun

in·​er·​tia i-ˈnər-shə How to pronounce inertia (audio)
-shē-ə
1
a
: a property of matter by which it remains at rest or in uniform motion in the same straight line unless acted upon by some external force
b
: an analogous property of other physical quantities (such as electricity)
2
: indisposition to motion, exertion, or change : inertness
inertial
i-ˈnər-shəl How to pronounce inertia (audio)
-shē-əl
adjective
inertially adverb

Did you know?

Inertia is the inherent property of a body that makes it oppose any force that would cause a change in its motion. A body at rest and a body in motion both oppose forces that might cause acceleration. The inertia of a body can be measured by its mass, which governs its resistance to the action of a force, or by its moment of inertia about a specified axis, which measures its resistance to the action of a torque about the same axis.

Examples of inertia in a Sentence

He blames governmental inertia for the holdup. After 10 years in an unsatisfying job she overcame her inertia and went back to school.
Recent Examples on the Web Sometimes all this inertia leads to explosive truth-telling. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2024 One explanation for the recent political inertia to ban the app may be the public’s lagging interest in doing so. Jessica Melugin, Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2023 There is a gallows humor in their songs about addiction and inertia, with a strong anti-capitalist streak to boot. David Renshaw, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2023 This is likely enough to overcome sleep inertia, which usually lasts 30 minutes or less for someone who isn’t sleep- deprived. Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Scientific American, 15 Nov. 2023 Like the therapist, Will is full of good suggestions: more intimacy (physical), less inertia (existential). Clare Sestanovich, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023 The subsequent growth of the country’s nuclear arsenal was mainly the result of inertia on the part of the military-industrial complex. Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 If frequency imbalances grow, the second line of defense is either speeding up or slowing down the already-spinning turbines in the plants – a process called inertia – to generate more electricity and fill the frequency imbalance. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024 This aversion to such a progressive approach uncovers a disconcerting preference for sentimental longing over realistic solutions, favoring inertia and decay over dynamic revitalization. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inertia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, lack of skill, from inert-, iners

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of inertia was in 1713

Dictionary Entries Near inertia

Cite this Entry

“Inertia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inertia. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inertia

noun
in·​er·​tia in-ˈər-shə How to pronounce inertia (audio)
-shē-ə
1
: a property of matter by which it remains at rest or in unchanging motion unless acted on by some external force
2
: a tendency not to move or change
inertial adjective

Medical Definition

inertia

noun
in·​er·​tia in-ˈər-shə, -shē-ə How to pronounce inertia (audio)
1
a
: a property of matter by which it remains at rest or in uniform motion in the same straight line unless acted upon by some external force
b
: an analogous property of other physical quantities (as electricity)
2
: lack of activity or movement
used especially of the uterus in labor when its contractions are weak or irregular

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