BusinessAugust 20, 2026

flywheel

FLYE-weel

Definition

A business model or process where success in one area creates momentum that drives growth and success in other interconnected areas, leading to a self-reinforcing cycle.

Etymology

Derived from the mechanical device of the same name, which uses a heavy rotating wheel to store rotational energy and provide momentum, it was adopted in business jargon to describe self-sustaining growth cycles.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe Meta's business strategy, where AI-driven algorithmic improvements increase user engagement, which subsequently boosts advertising revenue and further success.

Billionaire Bill Ackman Just Sold 25% of His Stake in This Big Tech Giant for 2 AI Rivals

Read the full article ↗

The Motley Fool

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.