Definition of pace
1a : rate of movement the runner's pace; especially : an established rate of locomotionb : rate of progress; specifically : parallel rate of growth or development supplies kept pace with demandc : an example to be emulated; specifically : first place in a competition three strokes off the pace — Timed (1) : rate of performance or delivery : tempo a steady pace on pace to set a record; especially : speed serves with great pace a pace bowler in cricket (2) : rhythmic animation : fluency writes with color, with zest, and with pace — Amy Loveman
2 : a manner of walking : tread … walked slowly, with even, unhesitating pace … — Willa Cather
3a : step 2a(1)b : any of various units of distance based on the length of a human step
4a paces plural : an exhibition or test of skills or capacities the trainer put the tiger through its pacesb : gait; especially : a fast 2-beat gait (as of the horse) in which the legs move in lateral pairs and support the animal alternately on the right and left legs
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Examples of pace in a Sentence
We walked at a leisurely pace along the shore.
The pace of the story was slow.
His new album is selling at a blistering pace.
Origin and Etymology of pace
Middle English pas, from Anglo-French, stride, step, from Latin passus, from pandere to spread — more at fathom
Other Weights and Measures Terms
pace
Definition of pace
paced
;pacing
intransitive verb
1a : to walk with often slow or measured treadb : to move along : proceed
2 : to go at a pace —used especially of a horse
transitive verb
1a : to measure by pacing —often used with off paced off a 10-yard penaltyb : to cover at a walk could hear him pacing the floor
2 : to cover (a course) by pacing —used of a horse
3a : to set or regulate the pace of taught them how to pace their solos for … impact — Richard Goldstein; also : to establish a moderate or steady pace for (oneself)b (1) : to go before : precede (2) : to set an example for : leadc : to keep pace with
Examples of pace in a Sentence
When she gets nervous she paces back and forth.
He was pacing and muttering to himself.
She paced the other runners for the first half of the race.
Advertisements are paced so that they are shown more often during peak sales seasons.
Origin and Etymology of pace
see 1pace
Definition of pace
: contrary to the opinion of —usually used as an expression of deference to someone's contrary opinion Easiness is a virtue in grammar, pace old-fashioned grammarians … — Philip Howard —usually italics
Did You Know?
Though used in English for nearly 150 years, the preposition pace has yet to shed its Latin mantle, and for that reason it's most at home in formal writing or in contexts in which one is playing at formality. The Latin word pace is a form of pax, meaning "peace" or "permission," and when used sincerely the word does indeed suggest a desire for both. This Latin borrowing is unrelated to the more common noun pace (as in "keeping pace") and its related verb ("pacing the room"); these also come from Latin, but from the word pandere, meaning "to spread."
Origin and Etymology of pace
Latin, ablative of pac-, pax peace, permission — more at pact
PACE Defined for English Language Learners
pace
playDefinition of pace for English Language Learners
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: the speed at which someone or something moves
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: the speed at which something happens
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: a single step or the length of a single step
pace
Definition of pace for English Language Learners
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: to walk back and forth across the same space again and again especially because you are nervous
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: to control or set the speed of (someone or something)
PACE Defined for Kids
Definition of pace for Students
1 : the speed of moving forward or ahead
2 : the speed at which something is done or happens The pace of production needs to increase.
3 : a horse's gait in which the legs on the same side move at the same time
4 : a single step or its length
Definition of pace for Students
paced
;pacing
1 : to walk back and forth across The nervous man began pacing the floor.
2 : to walk with slow steps
3 : to measure by steps We paced off the length of the garden.
4 : to set or regulate the speed at which something is done or happens You have to pace yourself when exercising.
Learn More about pace
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See words that rhyme with pace Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pace Spanish Central: Translation of pace Nglish: Translation of pace for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pace for Arabic speakers
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