light speed

noun

: the speed of light

Accelerating particles to near light speed, such machines are ideal for smashing them to make exotic states of matter, blast out new particles, or even search for new dimensions of space.

—Adrian Cho

also, informal : an extremely fast rate or speed

A Netflix spokesman said it was adding titles at light speed while negotiating daily with studios, which have their own strategy for dealing with online distribution.

—Josh Quittner

Examples of light speed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In markets that move at light speed, this agility can make all the difference. —Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

The Washington Post: Trump’s chaotic approach has allies rattled. • The Hill: Trump is moving at light speed with no plan in sight. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 17 Feb. 2025

In a world where code travels at light speed, scattered voluntary pledges from a handful of tech giants offer no real protection. —Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025

The data will help scientists understand how material in that region gets heated to millions of degrees, trace the origin of solar wind, and discover how energetic particles are accelerated to near light speed. —April Rubin, Axios, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for light speed

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede