acceleration

[ak-sel-uh-rey-shuhn, ik-]

noun

1. the act of accelerating; increase of speed or velocity.

2. a change in velocity.

3. Mechanics.,  the time rate of change of velocity with respect to magnitude or direction; the derivative of velocity with respect to time.

acceleration

/ ækˌsɛləˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of accelerating or the state of being accelerated

2. a. the rate of increase of speed or the rate of change of velocity

3. a. the power to accelerate

acceleration

1. The rate of change of the velocity of a moving body. An increase in the magnitude of the velocity of a moving body (an increase in speed) is called a positive acceleration; a decrease in speed is called a negative acceleration. Acceleration, like velocity, is a vector quantity, so any change in the direction of a moving body is also an acceleration. A moving body that follows a curved path, even when its speed remains constant, is undergoing acceleration.

2. See more at gravity relativity

acceleration

1. A change in the velocity of an object.

The most familiar kind of acceleration is a change in the speed of an object. An object that stays at the same speed but changes direction, however, is also being accelerated. (See force.)

Other Word Forms

• nonacceleration noun
• overacceleration noun
• reacceleration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of acceleration¹

First recorded in 1525–35, acceleration is from the Latin word accelerātiōn- (stem of accelerātiō ). See accelerate, -ion

Example Sentences

Over the next three to five years, there is going to be a continued acceleration of the biotech aspect of this company.

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Those are reference points of the acceleration of AI.

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"This allows us to help explain the extreme luminosities of active galactic nuclei as well as the acceleration of particles to nearly the speed of light."

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"All of the modifications were very much about speed and acceleration," said forensic investigator PC Matt Rue.

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But the acceleration of marine wildlife deaths in the weeks after the fires led some to wonder whether L.A.’s disaster on land was also worsening the crisis in the sea.

Read more on Los Angeles Times