warp speed

American  

noun

1. an extremely rapid rate of speed.

   rumors traveling at warp speed.

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Usage

What does warp speed mean? Warp speed is an extremely fast speed. In science fiction stories, especially in the Star Trek universe, warp speed refers to a hypothetical speed faster than the speed of light that can be achieved by spaceships like the USS Enterprise. This use became popular enough to enter the language as a general term for a really, really fast speed. It’s typically used in exaggerations about how fast something is moving or how fast an action is performed. Example: My kids usually drag their feet when I ask them to do their chores, but they start working at warp speed if I promise them pizza.

Etymology

Origin of warp speed

Alluding to the use in science fiction of spatial or temporal warps to travel interstellar distances

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

warp speed

“We got it cataloged immediately, which means someone can order it up in the reading room tomorrow, and that’s warp speed for us,” she added.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

To show his versatility, he became known for his program’s warp speed, no-huddle offense through the years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2025

Since 2019, when the series premiered, Elordi and co-stars Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney have seen their careers hit warp speed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2025

“We are now at warp speed with FEMA,” one city official wrote in an email.

From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2025

But the minute he saw her, it thumped back into his chest, where it began thundering at warp speed.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon

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