speed-up
Americannoun
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an increasing of speed.
-
an imposed increase in the rate of production of a worker without a corresponding increase in the rate of pay.
verb
noun
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.
See Examples For:
Hybrid computing often leads to a speed-up in a particular task, as was the case here.
From Barron's ● Mar. 10, 2026
"The speed-up couldn't come sooner for patients who need help now."
From Science Daily ● Feb. 21, 2026
Derek Lessard of TD Cowen says in a report that this acquisition should help speed-up M&A and deliver more meaningful synergies over time, especially once the new business is integrated into the broader company’s operations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 13, 2025
That speed-up carried over to the postseason, where nine-inning World Series games averaged 3:01, the fastest since 1996.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 16, 2023
It is my hope, indeed, that the new speed-up of production will cause many businesses which now pay below the minimum standards to bring their wages up.
From The Fireside Chats of Franklin Delano Roosevelt by Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
Roe and Pugsley have been in post around a year, initially trying to unblock a massive backlog of building applications and now trying to speed up the remediation process too.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Rams rookie Ty Simpson says is doing all he can to speed up his development as Matthew Stafford’s heir apparent at starting quarterback.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
To help fund that, Tesla said it is securing debt facilities that could allow it to borrow up to $30 billion to speed up its plans.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
Logistics companies such as United Parcel Service, FedEx, DHL Group and Flexport have rolled out more AI in their customs brokerage operations to speed up the import entry process.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
Moss asked, and he felt the train speed up a bit as it made its way through the tunnel underneath the bay.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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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.