English · Word Candidate

impulse

/ˈɪmpʌls/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: impulses · impulsing · impulsed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A thrust; a push; a sudden force that impels.

Noun

c. 1715-1716, Samuel Clarke, letter to Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz All spontaneous animal motion is performed by mechanical impulse.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

A wish or urge, particularly a sudden one prompting action.

Noun

The impulse to learn drove me to study night and day.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To impel; to incite.

Verb

With that force so impulsed and prest they are carried under the deepe Ocean.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “impulse” mean?

A thrust; a push; a sudden force that impels.

Is “impulse” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.