speed

[speed]

noun

1. rapidity in moving, going, traveling, proceeding, or performing; swiftness; celerity: the speed of sound.

   the speed of light;

   the speed of sound.

   Synonyms: hurry, expedition, dispatch, alacrity, fleetness
   Antonyms: slowness

2. relative rapidity in moving, going, etc.; rate of motion or progress.

   full speed ahead.

   Synonyms: hurry, expedition, dispatch, alacrity, fleetness

3. full, maximum, or optimum rate of motion.

   The car gets to speed in just nine seconds.

4. Automotive.,  a transmission gear ratio.

5. Photography.

   1. Also called film speed. the sensitivity of a film or paper to light, measured by an ASA or DIN index, which assigns low numbers to slow film and higher numbers to faster film.

   2. Also called shutter speed. the length of time a shutter is opened to expose the film or digital sensor inside the camera to light.

   3. the largest opening at which a lens can be used.

6. Slang.,  a stimulating drug, as caffeine, ephedrine, or especially methamphetamine or amphetamine.

7. Informal.,  a person or thing that is compatible with or typical of one's ability, personality, desires, etc..

   My speed is writing postcards on the porch while everyone else is tearing around the tennis court.

8. Archaic.,  success or prosperity.

verb (used with object)

sped, speeded, speeding. 

1. to promote the success of (an affair, undertaking, etc.); further, forward, or expedite.

   Synonyms: favor, facilitate, advance

2. to direct (the steps, course, way, etc.) with speed.

3. to increase the rate of speed of (usually followed byup ).

   to speed up industrial production.

   Synonyms: accelerate

4. to bring to a particular speed, as a machine.

5. to cause to move, go, or proceed with speed.

6. to expedite the going of.

   to speed the parting guest.

7. Archaic.,  to cause to succeed or prosper.

verb (used without object)

sped, speeded, speeding. 

1. to move, go, pass, or proceed with speed or rapidity.

2. to drive a vehicle at a rate that exceeds the legally established maximum.

   He was arrested for speeding.

3. to increase the rate of speed or progress (usually followed byup ).

4. to get on or fare in a specified or particular manner.

5. Archaic.,  to succeed or prosper.

speed

/ spiːd /

noun

1. the act or quality of acting or moving fast; rapidity

2. the rate at which something moves, is done, or acts

3. physics a scalar measure of the rate of movement of a body expressed either as the distance travelled divided by the time taken ( average speed ) or the rate of change of position with respect to time at a particular point ( instantaneous speed ). It is measured in metres per second, miles per hour, etc

4. a rate of rotation, usually expressed in revolutions per unit time

5. 1. a gear ratio in a motor vehicle, bicycle, etc

   2. ( in combination )

      a three-speed gear

6. photog a numerical expression of the sensitivity to light of a particular type of film, paper, or plate See also ISO rating

7. photog a measure of the ability of a lens to pass light from an object to the image position, determined by the aperture and also the transmitting power of the lens. It increases as the f-number is decreased and vice versa

8. a slang word for amphetamine

9. archaic,  prosperity or success

10. quickly

11. 1. operating at an acceptable or competitive level

    2. in possession of all the relevant or necessary information

verb

1. to move or go or cause to move or go quickly

2. (intr) to drive (a motor vehicle) at a high speed, esp above legal limits

3. (tr) to help further the success or completion of

4. slang,  (intr) to take or be under the influence of amphetamines

5. (intr) to operate or run at a high speed

6. archaic

   1. (intr) to prosper or succeed

   2. (tr) to wish success to

speed

1. The ratio of the distance traveled by an object (regardless of its direction) to the time required to travel that distance.

2. Compare velocity

Other Word Forms

• speedful adjective
• speedfully adverb
• speedfulness noun
• speedingly adverb
• speedingness noun
• speedless adjective
• multispeed adjective
• outspeed verb (used with object)
• overspeed verb
• speeder noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of speed¹

First recorded before 900; 1965–70 speed for def. 6; (noun) Middle English spede “good luck, prosperity, rapidity,” Old English spēd; cognate with Dutch spoed, Old High German spōt; akin to Old English spōwan “to prosper, succeed”; (verb) Middle English speden “to succeed, prosper, go with speed,” Old English spēdan “to succeed, prosper”; cognate with Old Saxon spōdian, Old High German spuoten

Word History and Origins

Origin of speed¹

Old English spēd (originally in the sense: success); related to spōwan to succeed, Latin spēs hope, Old Slavonic spěti to be lucky

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at full / top speed,

   1. at the greatest speed possible.

      We drove down the highway at full speed.

   2. to the maximum of one's capabilities; with great rapidity.

      He worked at full speed.

2. up to speed,

   1. operating at full or optimum speed.

   2. functioning or producing at an expected, acceptable, or competitive level; up to par.

      a new firm not yet up to speed.

More idioms and phrases containing speed

• full speed ahead
• up to par (speed)

Synonym Study

Speed, velocity, quickness, rapidity, celerity, haste refer to swift or energetic movement or operation. Speed (originally prosperity or success) may apply to human or nonhuman activity and emphasizes the rate in time at which something travels or operates: the speed of light, of a lens, of an automobile, of thought. Velocity, a more learned or technical term, is sometimes interchangeable with speed : the velocity of light; it is commonly used to refer to high rates of speed, linear or circular: velocity of a projectile. Quickness, a native word, and rapidity, a synonym of Latin origin, suggest speed of movement or operation on a small or subordinate scale; quickness applies more to people ( quickness of mind, of perception, of bodily movement ), rapidity more to things, often in a technical or mechanical context: the rapidity of moving parts; a lens of great rapidity. Celerity, a somewhat literary synonym of Latin origin, refers usually to human movement or operation and emphasizes expedition, dispatch, or economy in an activity: the celerity of his response. Haste refers to the energetic activity of human beings under stress; it often suggests lack of opportunity for care or thought: to marry in haste; a report prepared in haste. See rush ¹.

Example Sentences

“The U.S. leads in technological innovation, while China excels in speed of implementation,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The intensity and speed with which he was coming up with new things to achieve became more and more, and the feeling of lack of fulfillment became even greater.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His speed and aggression are there for everyone to see.

Read more on Barron's

On sheer speed, he's quick if he gets it together, but he often struggled to deliver when needed.

Read more on BBC

The federal indictment alleges that the pitchers helped two unnamed gamblers win at least $460,000 on bets placed on the speed and outcome of certain pitches.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• advance 
• boost 
• expedite 
• facilitate 
• fly 
• further 
• hasten 
• help 
• hurry 
• promote 
• quicken 
• ride 
• run 
• rush 
• zoom