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Warp speed is an example of a phrase that entered the public consciousness through science fiction and eventually gained enough popularity to end up in the dictionary. The expression was popularized on the science-fiction show Star Trek in the 1960s. On the show, warp speed referred to a specific concept, namely the idea of faster-than-light travel. Within a relatively short period of time, Star Trek gained a devoted and intense following. Fans were soon discussing the fictional concepts of the show, including warp speed, with great enthusiasm. Eventually, the term warp speed was adopted by the general population. In the process, however, it lost its specific fictional meaning and came to mean simply "the highest possible speed."
Examples of warp speed in a Sentence
Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
The United States should adopt warp speed models for regulation and permitting.
—Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
With Season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds engaging in warp speed, fans at Comic-Con were treated to a sneak peek at Season 4.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 July 2025
Almost 21 months have passed since Ohtani’s right elbow was operated on a second time, and the path to getting to this point felt almost as long before hitting warp speed over the last 22 days.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for warp speed
Cite this Entry
“Warp speed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warp%20speed. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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