What does "moment" mean?
A particular point, or relatively small region.; A particular point of space; a spot.
Moment
/momən(ʔ)/ name, noun, slang
name, noun, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A particular point, or relatively small region.; A particular point of space; a spot.
- Grammar: moment is listed as name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: instant, bit, minute, mo.
- Useful contrasts: durative, geological epoch, historical period.
- Usage evidence: From the moment that I knew that the university existed, I've wanted to go there.
How to use "moment"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "moment" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "moment" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "moment" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "moment" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "moment" is acting as name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "instant" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "moment", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A particular point, or relatively small region.; A particular point of space; a spot. countable, uncountable
"...over everything there lay a deposit of heavy white dust, which was only blown off one moment to thicken on another."
- 2 having important effects or influence wordnet
- 3 A particular point, or relatively small region.; A particular point of time; an instant. countable, uncountable
"Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands."
- 4 the n-th moment of a distribution is the expected value of the n-th power of the deviations from a fixed value wordnet
- 5 A brief, unspecified amount of time. countable, uncountable
"Wait a moment, while I lock the front door."
Show 13 more definitions
- 6 a turning force produced by an object acting at a distance (or a measure of that force) wordnet
- 7 Weight or importance. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"In deep designs, in matter of great moment, / No less importing than our general good."
- 8 at this time wordnet
- 9 Ellipsis of moment of force. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
- 10 a particular point in time wordnet
- 11 A definite period of time, specifically one-tenth of a point, or one-fortieth or one-fiftieth of an hour. countable, historical, uncountable
- 12 an indefinitely short time wordnet
- 13 A petit mal episode; such a spell. countable, informal, uncountable
- 14 A fit; a brief tantrum. colloquial, countable, uncountable
- 15 An infinitesimal change in a varying quantity; an increment or decrement. countable, uncountable
- 16 A quantitative measure of the shape of a set of points. countable, uncountable
"If the points represent mass, then the zeroth moment is the total mass, the first moment divided by the total mass is the center of mass, and the second moment is the rotational inertia."
- 17 An embarrassing event, supposed to be characteristic of some person, group, or situation. Internet, countable, uncountable
"woman moment"
- 18 The current center of public attention and awe; the most important celebrity in their prime. Internet, colloquial, countable, uncountable
"She’s got a point. She’s an icon, she is a legend, and she is the moment. Now, come on, now. You got to give it up to Kim."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Antonyms
Example
"From the moment that I knew that the university existed, I've wanted to go there."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "moment"?
Common synonyms include: instant, bit, minute, mo, second, a breath.
How do you use "moment" in a sentence?
From the moment that I knew that the university existed, I've wanted to go there.
How do you pronounce "moment"?
Pronounced /momən(ʔ)/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English moment, from Old French moment, from Latin mōmentum. Doublet of momentum and movement.
Etymology 2
Unexplained English surname.