poussée

Poussée is a French feminine noun derived from the verb pousser (to push). It denotes the action of pushing or the resulting push, and, in technical contexts, a thrust or forward force. In physics and engineering, the term is used for thrust produced by a propulsion system (for example, la poussée d'un moteur or la poussée d'une fusée) and for axial or buoyant forces acting on objects. A well-known related use is la poussée d'Archimède, the buoyant force exerted on an object submerged in a fluid.

Beyond its technical senses, poussée also appears in more general or figurative expressions. It can refer to a surge or burst of activity, forcefully expressed movement, or a sudden intensification of a process. In everyday language, phrases such as "poussée de croissance" describe a growth spurt, and in medical contexts, "poussée" denotes a flare-up or escalation of symptoms, for example "une poussée inflammatoire" or "poussée de psoriasis." In civil or mechanical contexts, it can describe loads acting on structures, such as "poussée du vent" (wind load) or other fluid or thrust forces that push against surfaces.

Overall, poussée is a versatile term whose exact meaning depends on the domain, ranging from a concrete push or thrust to more abstract notions of surge, growth, or escalation.