average speed

American  

noun

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

---

Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of average speed

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General said the agency’s average speed of answer was only seven minutes in September, down from 12 minutes the same time the year before and an improvement from fiscal year 2025’s overall peak of 30 minutes in January.

From MarketWatch

The report’s conclusion relies on the average speed of answer, which includes callbacks so that callers are not actively waiting on the phone.

From MarketWatch

The average speed for a bus in Scotland is now 11.3mph, down from 14.9mph two years ago, according to industry data.

From BBC

Delays were calculated by the difference between overnight average speed and average speed at peak rush hour in each city.

From Los Angeles Times

His average speed of 89mph is the highest of any bowler to have taken a wicket in a day-night Test.

From BBC