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

A decade later, Starlink is now generating enough money to bankroll a company that burns through it at warp speed.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

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 • Nov. 14, 2025

But I don't think any of us could have predicted the exact confluence of atrocities being committed at warp speed from every direction.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2025

Every play still felt like it was flying by at warp speed.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 18, 2024

It operated at warp speed and had massive storage capacity so that he could mine the scientific world on every front, synthesize the data, and adapt it to his needs.

From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson