average speed

American  

noun

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

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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

"I was scared out of my wits," said Austria's long-retired Fritz Strobl of his record-setting Kitzbuehel descent in 1min 51.58sec in 1997 -- his average speed was an astonishing 106.9km/h.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

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 • Dec. 23, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

Kipyegon was kitted out in an aerodynamic skinsuit and specially designed spikes as she targeted sub-60 second laps - an average speed of about 15 miles or 24 kilometres, per hour.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2025

Note that this reflects top speed, not average speed over a distance, which would be slower.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand