escape velocity

noun

: the minimum velocity that a moving body (such as a rocket) must have to escape from the gravitational field of a celestial body (such as the earth) and move outward into space

Examples of escape velocity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That date, nearly six months ago, was when the S&P 500 spurted higher to reach the 7500 level for the first time; the index has never reached escape velocity since and in fact crossed above 7500 again just yesterday. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026

Cave In represented both a potential escape velocity for the band and a possible lifeline for Hydra Head itself. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 18 Sep. 2026

This also means the escape velocity is much higher, about 20 kilometers per second (km/s) versus 11 km/s on Earth. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026

Another consequence of the general relativity equations is a region of space around this singularity at which gravity is so extreme that the escape velocity of the area increases to a value greater than the speed of light. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for escape velocity

• heterozygosity
• animosity
• curiosity
• generosity
• grandiosity
• nebulosity
• reciprocity
• tortuosity
• tuberosity
• virtuosity
• atrocity
• ferocity

Kids Definition

escape velocity

noun

: the lowest velocity that a moving body (as a rocket) must have to escape from the field of gravity of the earth or of a heavenly body and move outward into space