velocity

noun

ve·​loc·​i·​ty və-ˈlä-sə-tē 

-ˈlä-stē

plural velocities

1

a

: quickness of motion : speed

the velocity of sound

b

: rapidity of movement

[my horse's] strong suit is grace & personal comeliness, rather than velocity

—Mark Twain

c

: speed imparted to something

the power pitcher relies on velocity

—Tony Scherman

2

: the rate of change of position along a straight line with respect to time : the derivative of position with respect to time

3

a

: rate of occurrence or action : rapidity

the velocity of historical change

—R. J. Lifton

b

: rate of turnover

the velocity of money

Synonyms

• speed
• rate

Examples of velocity in a Sentence

particles moving at high velocities

measuring the velocity of sound

the velocity of a bullet

Recent Examples on the Web

If his velocity continues to slip, the Dodgers may be looking at a situation similar to the one in the regular season. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile, Oza says, Unni’s measurements for the velocity of the cloud around WASP-49Ab provide strong support for the existence of a moon there. —Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2025

Based on his conversations with customers and partners at the event, the analyst noted that Snowflake’s product innovation and velocity are accelerating. —Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2025

The company also uses the sprawling campus to test explosives, according to its website, measuring the velocity of explosions as well as their impact on surrounding areas under varying environmental conditions. —Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English velocite, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French veloceté, borrowed from Latin vēlōcitāt-, vēlōcitās, from vēlōc-, vēlōx "swift, rapid" (of uncertain origin) + -itāt-, -itās -ity

Note: If going back to earlier *ueg-s-l-o-, perhaps a derivative from the base of vegēre "to give vigor to, enliven" (see vegetate) or vehere "to convey" (Indo-European *u̯eǵh-; see vehicle), assimilated to the -ōk- of ātrōx, ferōx (see atrocious, ferocious). Alternatively, a derivative *uē-lo-, from the Indo-European base *h₂u̯eh₁- "blow" (hence, "windlike"; see wind entry 1) has been suggested.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing velocity

• angular velocity
• escape velocity

Rhymes for velocity

• atrocity
• ferocity
• monstrosity
• pomposity
• porosity
• precocity
• schistosity
• verbosity
• viscosity
• animosity
• curiosity
• generosity

Kids Definition

velocity

noun

ve·​loc·​i·​ty və-ˈläs-ət-ē 

-ˈläs-tē

plural velocities

1

: quickness of motion : speed

the velocity of sound

2

: the rate of change of position along a straight line with respect to time

3

: rate of occurrence or action

the velocity of political change