warp speed

noun

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Definition of warp speed

: the highest possible speed

Other Words from warp speed Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about warp speed

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Did You Know?

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 But the shutdown pushed him to pursue that goal at warp speed. — John Caplan, Forbes, "America’s Hourly Workers," 12 Mar. 2021 The new model is exciting, but warp speed is still probably decades or centuries away. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Announce a Physical Warp Drive Is Now Possible. Seriously.," 4 Mar. 2021 Pete's ascent to a household name came at warp speed. — Rasha Ali, USA TODAY, "Maroon 5 is part of the Hot Girl gang, debuts 'Beautiful Mistakes' with Megan Thee Stallion," 3 Mar. 2021 The evolution of homemade face masks is product development on warp speed—an industrial design course in action. — Anne Quito, Quartz, "2020 is the year when the public learned how vital design is for survival," 23 Dec. 2020 The Tesla investigation and court case proceeded at warp speed for the SEC, which typically takes years to wrap up investigations. — Dave Michaels, WSJ, "SEC Enforcement Chief to Depart as Regulator Prepares for Turnover," 10 Dec. 2020 Developments of recent decades—the rise of blockbusters, the din of the Internet—have sent this movie madness into warp speed, while also clarifying the odd connection between the business of movies and the heights of the art. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "A Year Without Movie Buzz," 30 Oct. 2020 Much like the battles in the craft beer space over the last few decades have led to a plethora of different beer styles, the diversification of products in the seltzer arena is happening at warp speed as every brand tries to outdo the others. — Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, "Michelob ULTRA Newest Seltzer Offering Points To The Where Seltzers Are Heading," 5 Mar. 2021 Pete's ascent to a household name came at warp speed. — Rasha Ali, USA TODAY, "Maroon 5 is part of the Hot Girl gang, debuts 'Beautiful Mistakes' with Megan Thee Stallion," 3 Mar. 2021

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.