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

• celerity
• fastness
• fleetness
• haste
• hurry
• quickness
• rapidity
• rapidness
• speed
• speediness
• swiftness

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

Featuring English guitarist Guthrie Govan, American bassist Bryan Beller and German drum wiz Marco Minnemann, this rock-and-way-beyond power trio achieves musical velocity and nuance in equal measure. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2024

Upon the arrival of Mason Black’s four-seam fastball, Bart returned it with a 109.7-mph exit velocity and crouched low in the batter’s box to admire its flight path over center field. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 23 May 2024

The average velocity of his four seamer is now 96.3 mph, which is slightly down from last year’s 97.1 mph. —Jeff Fletcher, Orange County Register, 21 May 2024

Last year, the Orioles ranked 10th in average exit velocity. —Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2024

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

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