accelerator

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tor ik-ˈse-lə-ˌrā-tər 

ak-

plural accelerators

: one that accelerates: such as

a

: a muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action

b

: a device (such as a gas pedal) for increasing the speed of a motor vehicle engine

c

: a substance that speeds a chemical reaction

d

: an apparatus for imparting high velocities to charged particles (such as electrons)

e

: an item of computer hardware that increases the speed at which a program or function operates

a graphics accelerator

Examples of accelerator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nvidia’s share of data center chips in China fell to 34% in the first half of 2026, while shipments of its AI accelerators dropped by 44% compared to a year earlier, according to IDC data cited by Reuters. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Microdrama will be a bigger focus at this year’s edition, and ATF will keep its drama showcases running alongside accelerator and pitching programs that pair producers of new IP with development partners. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

More plausibly, CPUs, GPUs, AI accelerators, HPC and quantum resources will coexist, selected driven by workload economics and suitability. — Rajjie Sarmey, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Now a growing number of tech firms – Apple, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and OpenAI – also rely on TSMC to make custom in-house AI accelerators. — Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

accelerate + -or entry 1

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing accelerator

• accelerator mass spectrometry
• linear accelerator
• particle accelerator

Rhymes for accelerator

• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• attenuator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator
• coordinator

Kids Definition

accelerator

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tor ik-ˈsel-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

ak-

1

: one that accelerates

2

: a device (as a pedal) in a motor vehicle used to control the speed of the motor

3

: a device that is used to give high velocities to charged particles (as electrons and protons)

Medical Definition

accelerator

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tor ik-ˈsel-ə-ˌrāt-ər, ak- 

: one that accelerates: as

a

: a muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action

a cardiac accelerator

b

: a substance that speeds a chemical reaction

c

: an apparatus for imparting high velocities to charged particles (as electrons)