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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

Recent Examples on the Web Despite his focus on a culture moving at warp speed toward the farthest reaches of absurdity, talking with Johnson is comforting. — Ricardo Nagaoka, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2022 When many hands are in the proverbial pot, and business requirements dictate that technology moves at warp speed to keep up, mistakes are inevitably made by well-meaning IT professionals. — Husein Sharaf, Forbes, 1 June 2022 Getting groceries at warp speed comes with very real consequences. — Adam Chandler, The Atlantic, 31 May 2022 At the turn of the millennium, as technology took off at warp speed, the minimalism and grunge that dominated the ’90s gave way to flashy hues, metallic shine, and unabashed individuality. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 31 May 2022 The pandemic is often only discussed with regard to its negative impact on mental health, but Bill Gates has pointed to COVID-19 as a catalyst for the world being digitized at warp speed. — Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 9 May 2022 If the sight of someone hustling up a skin track at warp speed wasn’t enough, Kuenzle did the whole thing in nothing but sunglasses and a pair of short spandex shorts. — Outside Online, 5 May 2022 Judging from the numbers of products developed at warp speed, the money was well spent. — Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 3 May 2022 Each was getting good at confronting raised eyebrows about their age difference and the warp speed of their love affair. — New York Times, 21 Jan. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'warp speed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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