velocity

[vuh-los-i-tee]

noun

plural

velocities 

1. rapidity of motion or operation; swiftness; speed.

   a high wind velocity.

2. Mechanics.,  the time rate of change of position of a body in a specified direction.

3. the rate of speed with which something happens; rapidity of action or reaction.

velocity

/ vɪˈlɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. speed of motion, action, or operation; rapidity; swiftness

2. 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

3. physics (not in technical usage) another word for speed

velocity

1. The speed and direction of motion of a moving body. Velocity is a vector quantity.

2. Compare acceleration speed

velocity

1. The vector giving the speed and direction of motion of any object.

Word History and Origins

Origin of velocity¹

First recorded in 1540–50, velocity is from the Latin word vēlōcitās speed. See velocipede, -ty ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of velocity¹

C16: from Latin vēlōcitās, from vēlōx swift; related to volāre to fly

Synonym Study

See speed.

Example Sentences

Shock waves emit from the sheer velocity of the weapon’s movement.

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But the stars themselves are far from fixed; they wheel through space at such unimaginable velocities that to seriously ponder the subject puts one at risk of dizzy spells and a nasty headache.

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He’s also touted even wilder ideas, saying on X that 100 terawatts a year “is possible from a lunar base producing solar-powered AI satellites locally and accelerating them to escape velocity with a mass driver.”

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He’s 6 feet 2, 200 pounds and has been gaining velocity as he grew in his teenage years.

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The CEO also highlighted three management objectives that are critical to this goal: scaling acquisitions, improving unit economics and resale velocity, and building operating leverage.

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Related Words

• acceleration 
• momentum 
• pace 
• quickness www.thesaurus.com
• tempo