velocity
Americannoun
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velocities
plural
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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
Noun Inflected 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.
See Examples For:
Such missiles, which are designed to fly at least five times the speed of sound, can overcome air defenses due to their velocity and ability to change direction midflight.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
The rickety CGI not its strong suit, “Hope” never quite follows through on its crafty first hour of peekaboo velocity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
The deal will reduce Chime’s reliance on third parties and increase its velocity of innovation, he adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
Stafford, 38, won his first MVP award and — if preseason joint practices and workouts are any indication — shows no signs that he lost a step or velocity and touch on his passes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026
Because the Cordillera Negra bulges especially close to the coast in the Norte Chico, the valleys are short and steeply walled; almost hurled from the heights, the rivers shoot toward the sea at high velocity.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
In an era where velocities are climbing across the game, the 24-year-old Misiorowski is pushing the limits of what was believed to be possible from the human body.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026
If Murakami struggled to connect against the slower velocities of the Japanese league, how would he fare against a steady diet of upper-90s heat?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026
"These theories assume that one is describing something with well-defined velocities and energies," explains Diana Kirschbaum.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 15, 2026
To create their 3D temperature model, the researchers analyzed a wide range of geophysical data, including seismic velocities, gravity anomalies, and heat flow.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 27, 2025
The theory of relativity limits the maximum difference in the velocities of the matter particles in the star to the speed of light.
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
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.
