Meaning of 'impulse'

noun

the act of applying force suddenly

Example: "The impulse knocked them over."

Synonyms: impulsion impetus

noun

an impelling force or strength

Synonyms: momentum

noun

the electrical discharge that travels along a nerve fiber

Example: "they demonstrated the transmission of impulses from the cortex to the hypothalamus"

Synonyms: nerve impulse nervous impulse neural impulse

noun

(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)

Synonyms: pulse pulsation pulsing

noun

a sudden desire

Example: "They bought it on an impulse."

Synonyms: whim caprice

noun

an instinctive motive

Example: "profound religious impulses"

Synonyms: urge