speed-up
noun
an increasing of speed.
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speed-up
American
[speed-uhp]
/ ˈspidˌʌp /
noun
-
an increasing of speed.
-
an imposed increase in the rate of production of a worker without a corresponding increase in the rate of pay.
speed up
British
verb
noun
speed up
Idioms
Usage
The past tense and past participle of speed up is speeded up , not sped up
Etymology
Origin of speed-up
First recorded in 1920–25; noun use of verb phrase speed up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There has been a growing push, however, to speed up election results — without reducing voting options or security — gaining support from Gov. Gavin Newsom and many in the State Capitol.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026
A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government was determined to speed up diagnosis of endometriosis.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
The companies, on the other hand, say marrying their two networks would speed up shipping and make supply chains more efficient.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
The EU's six biggest economies vowed Thursday to set aside differences and speed up integration of their financial markets as the bloc seeks to catch up with the United States and China.
From Barron's • May 28, 2026
Maurice, a beginner in X-ray diffraction work, wanted some professional help and hoped that Rosy, a trained crystallographer, could speed up his research.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
