warp speed
Americannoun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Like the film itself, Van Der Beek darts between personalities at warp speed.
From Salon ● Feb. 15, 2026
Getting there at warp speed isn’t really necessary.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 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
Against France in round four, their plans were shattered by relentless forward power, intelligent improvisation and warp speed out wide.
From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2025
Fencing is warp speed but my mind slows time.
From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
