Definition of pace
(Entry 1 of 3)
b
: rate of progress
specifically
: parallel rate of growth or development
supplies kept pace with demand
c
: an example to be emulated
specifically
: first place in a competition
three strokes off the pace — Time
2
: a manner of walking : tread
… walked slowly, with even, unhesitating pace …— Willa Cather
3a
: step sense 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 paces
b
: 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
pace
verb
paced; pacing
Definition of pace (Entry 2 of 3)
1a
: to walk with often slow or measured tread
b
: to move along : proceed
2
: to go at a pace
—used especially of a horse
1a
: to measure by pacing
—often used with off paced off a 10-yard penalty
b
: to cover at a walk
could hear him pacing the floor
2
: to cover (a course) by pacing
—used of a horse
pace
prepositionDefinition of pace (Entry 3 of 3)
: 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for pace
The first known use of pace was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century