[C,U] a sudden strong desire to do something without thinking about whether it is a sensible thing to do

冲动; 突然的欲望;

a sudden impulse to laugh

突然想笑的冲动

Marge's first impulse was to run.

玛吉的第一个念头就是跑。

Gerry couldn't resist the impulse to kiss her.

格里抑制不住想亲吻她的冲动。

On impulse, I picked up the phone and rang her.

一时心血来潮，我拿起电话给她打了过去。

Most beginners buy plants on impulse and then hope for the best.

很多初学者在冲动之下买了植物，然后就抱着最大的希望。

[C] [technical] a short electrical signal that travels in one direction along a nerve or wire

神经冲动;（电）脉冲:

The eye converts light signals to nerve impulses.

眼睛把光信号转变成神经冲动。

[C] a reason or aim that causes a particular kind of activity or behaviour

推动力:

It is the passions which provide the main impulse of music.

激情是音乐创作的主要动力。