Moment | Definition of moment by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of MOMENT

1

a : a minute portion or point of time : instant

b : a comparatively brief period of time

2

a : present time

b : a time of excellence or conspicuousness

3

: importance in influence or effect

4

obsolete : a cause or motive of action

5

: a stage in historical or logical development

6

a : tendency or measure of tendency to produce motion especially about a point or axis

b : the product of quantity (as a force) and the distance to a particular axis or point

7

a : the mean of the nth powers of the deviations of the observed values in a set of statistical data from a fixed value

b : the expected value of a power of the deviation of a random variable from a fixed value

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Origin of MOMENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin momentum movement, particle sufficient to turn the scales, moment, from movēre to move

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MOMENT

Synonyms: occasion, time

Antonyms: insignificance, littleness, puniness, slightness, smallness, triviality

Synonym Discussion of MOMENT

importance, consequence, moment, weight, significance mean a quality or aspect having great worth or significance. importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone <a region with no cities of importance>. consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects <the style you choose is of little consequence>. moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence <a decision of great moment>. weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something <the argument carried no weight with the judge>. significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized <the treaty's significance>.