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

Resellers’ algorithms, which price goods based on sales velocity, customer search activity and other factors, provide a pure barometer of consumer demand and are quick to show when an item is coming back into fashion.

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First and foremost, Misiorowski’s velocity, which was previously 100 mph or more with his fastball and up to 96 mph with his slider, started dipping.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Shoulder and oblique injuries in his final seasons in Japan had sapped his velocity.

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His fastball velocity has gradually declined over postseason, and he’s the type of pitcher who isn’t nearly as effective when he’s throwing 96 mph instead of 100 mph.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

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