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velocity

[ vuh-los-i-tee ]
/ vəˈlɒs ɪ ti /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR velocity ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural ve·loc·i·ties.

rapidity of motion or operation; swiftness; speed: a high wind velocity.
Mechanics. the time rate of change of position of a body in a specified direction.
the rate of speed with which something happens; rapidity of action or reaction.

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Origin of velocity

First recorded in 1540–50, velocity is from the Latin word vēlōcitās speed. See velocipede, -ty2

Words nearby velocity

velo binding, veloce, velocimeter, velocipede, velociraptor, velocity, velocity head, velocity microphone, velocity modulation, velocity of circulation, velocity of money
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to velocity

acceleration, quickness, tempo, momentum, pace, impetus, celerity, expedition, fleetness, dispatch, gait, rate, haste, headway, hurry, swiftness, rapidity

Example sentences from the Web for velocity

British Dictionary definitions for velocity

velocity
/ (vɪˈlɒsɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

speed of motion, action, or operation; rapidity; swiftness
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, etcSymbol: u, v, w
physics (not in technical usage) another word for speed (def. 3)

Word Origin for velocity

C16: from Latin vēlōcitās, from vēlōx swift; related to volāre to fly
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for velocity

velocity
[ və-lŏs′ĭ-tē ]

n.

Rapidity or speed of motion; specifically, the distance traveled per unit time.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for velocity

velocity
[ və-lŏs′ĭ-tē ]

The speed and direction of motion of a moving body. Velocity is a vector quantity. Compare acceleration speed.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for velocity

velocity

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

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.