French Conversation · Level 8
90 words
French word
poussée
Pronunciation
IPA/puse/
Meaning
- feminine nounpush
Example
Il a donné une poussée au chariot.
He gave the cart a push.
More examples
Une poussée d'adrénaline l'a aidé à finir la course.
An adrenaline rush helped him finish the race.
Core concept
A short forward shove that can also appear as a sudden surge in intensity.
Common phrases
donner une poussée
give a push
une poussée d'adrénaline
an adrenaline rush
une poussée de fièvre
a fever spike
Similar words
impulsion: A short-lived force that triggers movement.
pression: Continuous force or pressure exerted on an object.
élan: The initial surge of energy behind a movement.
Definition in French
Action de pousser ou force qui pousse; mouvement bref ou augmentation soudaine.
Word origin
Poussée comes from pousser, an Old French verb inherited from Latin pulsare, with -ée forming a noun for an action or result.
Usage tips
- In expressions such as poussée de fièvre and poussée démographique, de links the surge to what is increasing.