warp speed

American  

noun

1. an extremely rapid rate of speed.

   rumors traveling at warp speed.

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Usage

What does warp speed mean? Warp speed is an extremely fast speed.In science fiction stories, especially in the Star Trek universe, warp speed refers to a hypothetical speed faster than the speed of light that can be achieved by spaceships like the USS Enterprise.This use became popular enough to enter the language as a general term for a really, really fast speed. It’s typically used in exaggerations about how fast something is moving or how fast an action is performed.Example: My kids usually drag their feet when I ask them to do their chores, but they start working at warp speed if I promise them pizza.

Etymology

Origin of warp speed

Alluding to the use in science fiction of spatial or temporal warps to travel interstellar distances

Example Sentences

Its push for warp speed progress stretches from the wealthy tech hubs on China’s coast to remote outposts a thousand miles inland.

From The Wall Street Journal

Once Corning decided to expand, the company wanted to do it fast—so fast that it enlisted one of the architects of Operation Warp Speed, the successful effort to speedily get Covid-19 vaccines to Americans.

From Barron's

What began with Operation Warp Speed has the potential to achieve something even more historic: an end to cancer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Appeared in the November 6, 2025, print edition as 'Operation Warp Speed Aimed at Covid and Hit Cancer'.

From The Wall Street Journal

Just as Operation Warp Speed was a catalyst for progress, sustained investment is critical to realizing mRNA’s full potential in the fight against cancer.

From The Wall Street Journal