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

“We think management’s revenue guide suggests a sequential acceleration in AWS growth” in the fourth quarter as well.

Read more on MarketWatch

“We think management’s revenue guide suggests a sequential acceleration in AWS growth” in the fourth quarter as well.

Read more on MarketWatch

Advertising revenue climbed 26% year over year for the quarter, representing an acceleration from the 21% growth the company reported three months ago for the period ended in June.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Bernstein analyst Mark Shmulik wrote in a note last week that he expects a “strong visible acceleration for AWS” by the end of the year.

Read more on MarketWatch

Profit fell in the fiscal second quarter, though, as an acceleration in the software-as-a-service business, which carries a lower gross margin, offset higher revenue.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal