pace

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noun \ˈpās\

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

See pace defined for English-language learners

See pace defined for kids

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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

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Weights and Measures Terms

avoirdupois weight, calorie, denier, kip, twain

pace

verb

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

See pace defined for English-language learners

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

First Known Use: circa 1522

pace

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preposition pa·ce \ˈpā-(ˌ)sē; ˈpä-(ˌ)chā, -(ˌ)kā\

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

First Known Use: 1863

PACE Defined for English Language Learners

pace

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noun

Definition of pace for English Language Learners

: the speed at which someone or something moves
: the speed at which something happens
: a single step or the length of a single step

pace

verb

Definition of pace for English Language Learners

: to walk back and forth across the same space again and again especially because you are nervous
: to control or set the speed of (someone or something)

PACE Defined for Kids

pace

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noun \ˈpās\

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

pace

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verb

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.