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

Their average exit velocity is third-worst, and they are especially proficient at banging the ball into the ground.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The historic velocity of this recovery in stocks and earnings revisions since April offers further evidence of a new bull market and economic cycle having begun,” they said.

Read more on MarketWatch

One of the four sub-Earth exoplanets discovered is the least massive world ever found using the radial velocity technique.

Read more on Space Scoop

His velocity gradually improved, but remained mostly struck in the mid-90s.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His average fastball velocity in the start before that: 94.4 mph.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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