Definition of WARP SPEED

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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

The usual rites of courtship happened at warp speed, magnified by Grande and Davidson’s visibility and collective wealth. — Eliza Brooke, Vox, "What will become of the engagement ring Pete Davidson gave Ariana Grande?," 15 Oct. 2018 Romania got warp speed Internet connections, meaning curious students could work elsewhere. — Andrada Fiscutean, Ars Technica, "The adventures of lab ED011—“Nobody would be able to duplicate what happened there”," 27 Aug. 2018 While most of us would be left fumbling in the moments when Kylie bakes her face at warp speed or applies lip liner with her eyes closed, Manny fully manages to pull it off — and even swaps some of her hero products for more affordable versions. — Zoe Weiner, Teen Vogue, "Manny MUA Recreates Kylie Jenner’s Vogue Makeup Routine Tutorial," 9 July 2018 The Pelicans' answer was to push the pace to warp speed in the opening quarter. — Ron Higgins, NOLA.com, "Pelicans do everything in game 2 loss to Warriors except get some favorable calls," 2 May 2018 Start this intense 30 percent acid peel as a single daily treatment, and after a few days, try your hand at a morning and evening application for glowy and clear skin at warp speed. — Ashley Weatherford, The Cut, "Are You Exfoliating Your Face Wrong?," 11 July 2018 While most of us would be left fumbling in the moments when Jenner bakes her face at warp speed or applies lip liner with her eyes closed, Manny fully manages to pull it off — and even swaps some of her hero products for more affordable versions. — Zoe Weiner, Allure, "Watch Manny MUA Flawlessly Recreate Kylie Jenner’s Entire Makeup Routine," 9 July 2018 Young parents were beginning to jump onto social media in meaningful numbers in India, opening a fresh path to building a new brand at warp speed. — Bill Spindle, WSJ, "A Milk Startup Takes On 300 Million Cows," 7 July 2018 The designer carousel continues to move at warp speed, and the latest departure is one of its most tenured riders. — Cam Wolf, GQ, "Bottega Veneta Designer Tomas Maier Departs," 14 June 2018

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.