adaptive cruise control

noun

|Updated on: 7 Jul 2018

Definition of adaptive cruise control

: a system in an automobile that can automatically adjust the settings of the cruise control in response to external driving conditions

Jaguar's adaptive cruise control … tracks the speed and position of the car in the lane ahead and automatically adjusts the speed to keep a safe time interval.
—Bruce McCall

Recent Examples of adaptive cruise control from the Web

The Leaf’s adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist work well, but their main benefits become apparent on longer drives than the EV is capable of.

— mark phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Review: Electric 2018 Nissan Leaf energized by value and range," 7 June 2018
Autopilot includes adaptive cruise control and can automatically change lanes to pass cars on a freeway with a flick of the turn signal.

— russ mitchell, latimes.com, "Tesla Model X on Autopilot sped up seconds before deadly crash in Silicon Valley, report says," 7 June 2018
The LaCrosse soaked up the highway, provided a quiet, comfy cabin, and adaptive cruise control made highway slowing and going a breeze.

— robert duffer, chicagotribune.com, "Auto review: 2017 Buick LaCrosse is a good car at a bad time," 15 Aug. 2017
The tester came with all-wheel drive, power folding side mirrors, adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay and all the latest modern touches for just over $31,000 in top SEL trim.

— robert duffer, chicagotribune.com, "Auto review: Mitsubishi shows signs of life with 2018 Eclipse Cross," 19 June 2018
EyeSight adds automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, among other features.

— Washington Post, "Edmunds compares Subaru Outback and Buick Regal TourX," 30 May 2018
Despite the name, Tesla (tsla, +1.49%) considers Autopilot to be a form of adaptive cruise control, in which drivers are still required to remain alert and be prepared to take action at any time during driving.

— jonathan sperling, Fortune, "Tesla Denies Autopilot Is to Blame for Brussels Crash," 31 May 2018
That evolution isn't just focused on whether autonomous vehicles are deployed first for commercial versus private use, but on the technology that is more and more common on new vehicles, such as adaptive cruise control, the panel noted.

— eric d. lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "When to expect driverless cars? Journalist says answer is simple," 19 Jan. 2018
Being a modern truck, it's also packed with lots of standard and optional safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, adaptive front lighting, blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning.

— eric d. lawrence, USA TODAY, "New Ram pickup sheds weights, tows more and saves fuel," 15 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adaptive cruise control.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.