velocity
Americannoun
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rapidity of motion or operation; swiftness; speed.
a high wind velocity.
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Mechanics. the time rate of change of position of a body in a specified direction.
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the rate of speed with which something happens; rapidity of action or reaction.
noun
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speed of motion, action, or operation; rapidity; swiftness
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u. v. w. physics a measure of the rate of motion of a body expressed as the rate of change of its position in a particular direction with time. It is measured in metres per second, miles per hour, etc
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physics (not in technical usage) another word for speed
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The speed and direction of motion of a moving body. Velocity is a vector quantity.
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Compare acceleration speed
Synonym Usage
See speed.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of velocity
First recorded in 1540–50, velocity is from the Latin word vēlōcitās speed. See velocipede, -ty 2
Explanation
If your rocket is traveling at maximum velocity, it means it can't go any faster. Velocity is quickness of motion or action. A synonym is celerity; a simpler word is speed. In physics, velocity specifically refers to the measurement of the rate and direction of change in position of an object. It is a vector quantity that specifies both the speed of a body and its direction of motion. The noun velocity descends from Middle English velocite, from Old French, from Latin vēlōcitās, from vēlōx "fast."
Vocabulary lists containing velocity
Automobiles
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Word Generation Science - Energy
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Unit 1: Telling Details
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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.
“With my job and the velocity at which my schedule can change, it’s important for me to have a place to go to and it be mine,” she said.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026
ADS-B Out equipped aircraft broadcast their altitude, latitude, longitude and velocity based on those GPS signals for nearby ADS-B In equipped aircraft.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
Wrobleski’s four-seam fastball velocity, sitting at 94.5 mph, was up 1.2 mph over his season average and topped out at 97.2 mph.
From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026
He added: "These fell with sufficient velocity - and from considerable height - as to cause damage to property and vehicles."
From BBC • May 29, 2026
I gloried in the recklessness it took to reach that velocity.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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.
