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

At that point, Sasaki had lost his tantalizing velocity, hardly even threatening 100 mph since his adrenaline-fueled debut in Tokyo back in March.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m actually quite stunned at the velocity of this and the boldness of it.”

From Los Angeles Times

He is 10-2 in 20 starts with a 3.53 ERA, succeeding despite diminished fastball velocity and a decline in overall stuff.

From Los Angeles Times

But he acted out that premise at scale with impressive velocity and single-minded genius, attracting millions of dollars in backing and legions of followers.

From Salon

All of the energy generated by the time the vaulter releases the pole needs to leave them with enough vertical velocity to keep moving upwards - high enough to clear the bar.

From BBC

Related Words

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