pace

1 of 3

noun

ˈpās 

1

a

: rate of movement

the runner's pace

especially : an established rate of locomotion

b

: rate of progress

specifically : parallel rate of growth or development

supplies kept pace with demand

c

: an example to be emulated

specifically : first place in a competition

three strokes off the pace

—Time

d(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

3

a

: step sense 2a(1)

b

: any of various units of distance based on the length of a human step

4

a

paces plural : an exhibition or test of skills or capacities

the trainer put the tiger through its paces

b

: 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

pace

2 of 3

verb

paced; pacing

intransitive verb

1

a

: to walk with often slow or measured tread

b

: to move along : proceed

2

: to go at a pace

—used especially of a horse

transitive verb

1

a

: to measure by pacing

—often used with off

paced off a 10-yard penalty

b

: to cover at a walk

could hear him pacing the floor

2

: to cover (a course) by pacing

—used of a horse

3

a

: 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 : lead

c

: to keep pace with

pace

3 of 3

preposition

pa·​ce ˈpā-(ˌ)sē  ˈpä-(ˌ)chā 

-(ˌ)kā

: 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 since the 19th century, 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."

Synonyms

Verb

• file
• march
• parade
• stride

Examples of pace in a Sentence

Noun

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.

Verb

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Brown has been prone to promoting prospects at a breakneck pace, especially those he’s acquired or drafted during his tenure. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 16 June 2025

Francis Lawrence’s dystopian thriller centers on young men competing in a grueling annual walking contest who trudge along a highway: If anybody’s pace falls under 3 mph, they’re executed until only one survivor is left. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 June 2025

Verb

This offense ranks fourth in field goal percentage and excels in high-tempo, shoot-at-will pacing. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 June 2025

Be sure to pace yourself, though—there are a number of different breweries to check out, including Denton County Brewing Company, Harvest House, and Oak St. Drafthouse & Cocktail Parlor. —Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English pas, from Anglo-French, stride, step, from Latin passus, from pandere to spread — more at fathom

Preposition

Latin, ablative of pac-, pax peace, permission — more at pact

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1522, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Preposition

1863, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pace

• at a snail's pace
• at someone's own pace
• change of pace
• keep pace
• keep pace with
• off the pace
• pace car
• pace lap
• pace off
• pace of life
• pace oneself
• pick/step up the pace
• pick up the pace
• set the pace
• snail's pace

Rhymes for pace

• ace
• base
• brace
• case
• chace
• dace
• face
• grace
• lace
• mace
• place
• race

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Kids Definition

pace

1 of 2 noun

ˈpās 

1

a

: rate of moving especially on foot

b

: rate of progress

the pace of the story was slow

2

a

: a manner of going on foot : gait

b

: a fast gait of a horse in which legs on the same side move together

3

: a single step or a measure based on the length of a human step

pace

2 of 2 verb

paced; pacing

1

: to walk with slow steady steps

pacing to and fro

2

: to cover at a walk

pace the floor

3

: to measure by paces

pace off twenty feet

4

: to set or regulate the pace of

tried to pace himself during the marathon

pacer noun