accelerator

[ak-sel-uh-rey-ter]

noun

1. a person or thing that accelerates.

2. Automotive.,  a device, usually operated by the foot, for controlling the speed of an engine.

3. British.,  any two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle, as a motorcycle or motor scooter.

4. Photography.,  a chemical, usually an alkali, added to a developer to increase the rate of development.

5. Also called accelerant. Chemistry.,  any substance that increases the speed of a chemical change, as one that increases the rate of vulcanization of rubber or that hastens the setting of concrete, mortar, plaster, or the like.

6. Anatomy, Physiology.,  any muscle, nerve, or activating substance that quickens a movement.

7. Also called particle accelerator. Also called atom smasher. Physics.,  an electrostatic or electromagnetic device, as a cyclotron, that produces high-energy particles and focuses them on a target.

8. Economics.,  acceleration coefficient.

9. Business.,  an enterprise that provides investment funding and short, fixed-duration mentoring and education programs to a select group of startups that apply for this, including access to networking, strategy coaching, collaborative workspace, etc.

accelerator

/ ækˈsɛləˌreɪtə /

noun

1. a device for increasing speed, esp a pedal for controlling the fuel intake in a motor vehicle; throttle

2. Also called (not in technical usage): atom smasher. physics a machine for increasing the kinetic energy of subatomic particles or atomic nuclei and focusing them on a target

3. chem a substance that increases the speed of a chemical reaction, esp one that increases the rate of vulcanization of rubber, the rate of development in photography, the rate of setting of synthetic resins, or the rate of setting of concrete; catalyst

4. economics (in an economy) the relationship between the rate of change in output or sales and the consequent change in the level of investment

5. anatomy a muscle or nerve that increases the rate of a function

Word History and Origins

Origin of accelerator¹

First recorded in 1605–15 and in 1930–35 accelerator for def. 7; accelerate + -or ²

Example Sentences

We have an accelerator program at Tennessee State, and we’re doing work on the policy side.

From Los Angeles Times

Head coach John Mitchell has pointed to a little untidiness here, some slack hands there, and periods where England have been slow to start or let up the pressure on the accelerator.

From BBC

Ms West said the driver had told her the accelerator "jammed", with his brakes "not working".

From BBC

Rashd, who studied computer science at university, got a spot in a government-backed incubator and accelerator program called Saudi Game Champions.

From Los Angeles Times

The roles were reversed from their previous partnership, with Jones hitting the accelerator throughout while Beaumont eased through the gears with a little more caution.

From BBC

Related Words

• particle accelerator