1. the friction that prevents relative motion between two surfaces in contact when no relative motion is occurring
Usage: technical; physics

Examples

• The engineer had to overcome stiction to get the valve moving again.
• Stiction in the mechanical parts caused the device to stick initially.
• The high stiction between the surfaces made it difficult to start the motion.
• Once the stiction was overcome, the parts moved smoothly.
• The lubricant helped reduce stiction in the sliding mechanism.
• Stiction is often higher than the friction during actual movement.