English Dictionary

Definition of “speed”

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speed (spiːdPronunciation for speed) 

Definitions

noun

  1. the act or quality of acting or moving fast; rapidity
  2. the rate at which something moves, is done, or acts
  3. physics a scalar measure of the rate of movement of a body expressed either as the distance travelled divided by the time taken (average speed) or the rate of change of position with respect to time at a particular point (instantaneous speed). It is measured in metres per second, miles per hour, etc
  4. a rate of rotation, usually expressed in revolutions per unit time
    1. a gear ratio in a motor vehicle, bicycle, etc
    2. ((in combination)  ⇒ a three-speed gear 
  6. photography a numerical expression of the sensitivity to light of a particular type of film, paper, or plate See also ISO rating
  7. photography a measure of the ability of a lens to pass light from an object to the image position, determined by the aperture and also the transmitting power of the lens. It increases as the f-number is decreased and vice versa
  8. a slang word for amphetamine
  9. archaic prosperity or success
  10. See at speed
  11. See up to speed

verb

Word forms: speeds, speeding, sped, speeded
  1. to move or go or cause to move or go quickly
  2. (intr) to drive (a motor vehicle) at a high speed, esp above legal limits
  3. (tr) to help further the success or completion of
  4. (intr) slang to take or be under the influence of amphetamines
  5. (intr) to operate or run at a high speed
  6. archaic 
    1. (intr) to prosper or succeed
    2. (tr) to wish success to

See also

speed up

Alternative Forms

ˈspeeder noun

Word Origin

Old English spēd  (originally in the sense: success); related to spōwan  to succeed, Latin spēs  hope, Old Slavonic spěti to be lucky

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= rate, pace, momentum, tempo, velocity,
= velocity, swiftness, acceleration, precipitation, rapidity, quickness, fastness, briskness, speediness, precipitateness,
= swiftness, rush, hurry, expedition, haste, rapidity, quickness, fleetness, celerity,
= race, rush, hurry, zoom, career, bomb (along) tear, flash, belt (along) barrel (along) sprint, gallop, hasten, press on, quicken, lose no time, get a move on, burn rubber bowl along, put your foot down step on it, make haste, go hell for leather exceed the speed limit go like a bomb go like the wind go like a bat out of hell
= exceed the speed limit drive too fast break the speed limit
= help, further, advance, aid, promote, boost, assist, facilitate, fast-track, impel, expedite,

Translations

  • British English: speed Pronunciation for speed The speed of something is the rate at which it moves, happens, or is done.He drove off at high speed.spiːd NOUN He drove off at high speed.
  • Spanish: velocidad Pronunciation for velocidad nf
  • French: vitesse Pronunciation for vitesse nf
  • German: Geschwindigkeit Pronunciation for Geschwindigkeit nf
  • Chinese: 速度Pronunciation for 速度 n
  • Arabic: سُرْعَةPronunciation for سُرْعَة n
  • Portuguese: velocidadePronunciation for velocidade nf
  • Russian: скоростьPronunciation for скорость nf
  • Croatian: brzinaPronunciation for brzina nf
  • Czech: rychlostPronunciation for rychlost nf
  • Danish: hastighedPronunciation for hastighed nutr
  • Dutch: snelheidPronunciation for snelheid nf
  • Finnish: nopeusPronunciation for nopeus n
  • Greek: ταχύτηταPronunciation for ταχύτητα nf
  • Italian: velocitàPronunciation for velocità nf
  • Japanese: 速さPronunciation for 速さ n
  • Korean: 속도Pronunciation for 속도 n
  • Norwegian: hastighetPronunciation for hastighet nm
  • Polish: szybkośćPronunciation for szybkość nf
  • Brazilian Portuguese: velocidadePronunciation for velocidade nf
  • European Spanish: velocidad Pronunciation for velocidad nf
  • Swedish: hastighetPronunciation for hastighet nutr
  • Thai: ความเร็วPronunciation for ความเร็ว n
  • Turkish: hızPronunciation for hız n
  • Vietnamese: sự nhanh nhẹnPronunciation for sự nhanh nhẹn n

Usage examples

  • She'd started taking speed to stay awake, working through the night with Jett on new songs.
    Val McDermid, DEAD BEAT (2002)
  • They simply cannot pass the utility test since the purpose of the activity is only to test the speed and agility of dogs.
    Country Life (2004)
  • Slow players need to be put under some sort of pressure to force them to speed up.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • O'Brien's Black Minnaloushe headed ante-post betting on the Eclipse having shown a smart turn of speed to land the St James's Palace.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • As he spoke they both began to revolve round his head at speed.
    Alexander Games (compiler), THE ESSENTIAL SPIKE MILLIGAN (2002)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'S'

Related Terms

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