speed

¹speed

noun \ˈspēd\

Definition of SPEED

1

archaic : prosperity in an undertaking : success

2

a : the act or state of moving swiftly : swiftness b : rate of motion: as (1) : velocity 1 (2) : the magnitude of a velocity irrespective of direction c : impetus

3

: swiftness or rate of performance or action : velocity 3a

4

a : the sensitivity of a photographic film, plate, or paper expressed numerically b : the light-gathering power of a lens or optical system c : the time during which a camera shutter is open

5

: a transmission gear in automotive vehicles or bicycles —usually used in combination <a ten-speed bicycle>

6

: someone or something that appeals to one's taste <just my speed>

7

: methamphetamine; also : a related stimulant drug and especially an amphetamine

— speed·ster \ˈspēd-stər\ noun

— at speed

chiefly British : fast, rapidly

— up to speed

: operating at full effectiveness or potential

Examples of SPEED

1. This instrument measures wind speed.
2. The machine was operating at high speed.
3. traveling at nearly the speed of light
4. Under the right conditions the car can reach speeds over 200 miles an hour.
5. The vehicle maintained a speed of 40 miles per hour.
6. The work was done with remarkable speed.
7. This computer works at a much faster processing speed than my old one.
8. The machine chops up tree branches and leaves with speed and ease.

Origin of SPEED

Middle English spede, from Old English spēd; akin to Old High German spuot prosperity, speed, Old English spōwan to succeed, Latin spes hope, Lithuanian spėti to be in time

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SPEED

Synonyms: celerity, fastness, fleetness, haste, hurry, quickness, rapidity, rapidness, speediness, swiftness, velocity

Antonyms: slowness, sluggishness

Related Words: clip, gait, pace, rate, tempo; drive, hustle; acceleration, hastiness, precipitation, precipitousness, rush; alacrity, dispatch, expedition, expeditiousness, promptitude, promptness; warp speed

Near Antonyms: languidness, languor, leisureliness, lethargy, torpidity, torpor; reluctance; deliberateness, deliberation; dilatoriness, lateness, pokiness, procrastination

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See Synonym Discussion at haste

Rhymes with SPEED

bead, Bede, bleed, brede, breed, cede, creed, deed, feed, Gide, gleed, greed, heed, keyed, knead, kneed, lead, mead, Mead, Mede, meed, need, plead, read, rede, reed, screed, seed, Snead, steed, swede, treed, tweed, weed