noun
1. the act of applying force suddenly
e.g. the impulse knocked him over
Synonym: impulsionimpetus
2. an impelling force or strength
e.g. the car's momentum carried it off the road
Synonym: momentum
3. the electrical discharge that travels along a nerve fiber
e.g. they demonstrated the transmission of impulses from the cortex to the hypothalamus
Synonym: nerve impulsenervous impulseneural impulse
4. (electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)
e.g. the pulsations seemed to be coming from a star
Synonym: pulsationpulsingpulse
5. a sudden desire
e.g. he bought it on an impulse
Synonym: capricewhim
6. an instinctive motive
e.g. profound religious impulses
Synonym: urge