accelerate

[ ak-sel-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ac·cel·er·at·ed, ac·cel·er·at·ing.

1. to cause faster or greater activity, development, progress, advancement, etc., in:

   to accelerate economic growth.

2. to hasten the occurrence of:

   to accelerate the fall of a government.

3. Mechanics. to change the velocity of (a body) or the rate of (motion); cause to undergo acceleration.
4. to reduce the time required for (a course of study) by intensifying the work, eliminating detail, etc.

verb (used without object)

, ac·cel·er·at·ed, ac·cel·er·at·ing.

1. to move or go faster; increase in speed.
2. to progress or develop faster.

accelerate

/ ækˈsɛləˌreɪt /

verb

1. to go, occur, or cause to go or occur more quickly; speed up
2. tr to cause to happen sooner than expected
3. tr to increase the velocity of (a body, reaction, etc); cause acceleration

Derived Forms

• acˈcelerable, adjective
• acˈcelerative, adjective

Other Words From

• ac·celer·a·ble adjective
• ac·celer·ated·ly adverb
• over·ac·celer·ate verb overaccelerated overaccelerating
• reac·celer·ate verb reaccelerated reaccelerating
• self-ac·celerating adjective
• unac·celer·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accelerate¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Latin accelerātus “sped up,” past participle of accelerāre “to speed up,” from ac- ac- + celerāre “to hasten, hurry” (from celer “swift”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of accelerate¹

C16: from Latin accelerātus, from accelerāre to go faster, from ad- (intensive) + celerāre to hasten, from celer swift

Example Sentences

The researchers propose a different explanation for the current theory, suggesting that nitrogen molecular ions might be accelerated into the magnetosphere through an unknown process.

From Science Daily

As climate change accelerates, scientists are sounding the alarm about its potentially devastating impact on the world's food supply.

From Science Daily

As climate change accelerates the frequency and severity of storms, the need for effective coastal defenses has become increasingly urgent.

From Science Daily

Her numbers accelerate upwards, with eight million followers and counting clinging to her shirttails.

From BBC

Yet these are invariably multi-year endeavors, and such efforts must be pursued with urgency by local stakeholders to achieve resilience in the face of accelerating climate impacts.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• advance
• expedite
• further
• hasten
• open up
• quicken
• spur
• step up
• stimulate