average speed

noun

1. the total distance traveled divided by the total time elapsed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of average speed¹

First recorded in 1820–30

When To Use

What is average speed?

Average speed is calculated by dividing the total distance that something has traveled by the total amount of time it took it to travel that distance.Speed is how fast something is going at a particular moment. Average speed measures the average rate of speed over the extent of a trip. Average speed is usually applied to vehicles like cars, trains, and airplanes. It is often measured in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (kph).Average speed is used in all kinds of fields, including physics, astronomy, and transportation.