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velocity

noun
ve·​loc·​i·​ty | \ və-ˈlä-sə-tē How to pronounce velocity (audio) , -ˈlä-stē\
plural velocities

Definition of velocity

1a : quickness of motion : speed the velocity of sound
b : rapidity of movement [my horse's] strong suit is grace & personal comeliness, rather than velocity— Mark Twain
c : speed imparted to something the power pitcher relies on velocity— Tony Scherman
2 : the rate of change of position along a straight line with respect to time : the derivative of position with respect to time
3a : rate of occurrence or action : rapidity the velocity of historical change— R. J. Lifton
b : rate of turnover the velocity of money
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about velocity

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Examples of velocity in a Sentence

particles moving at high velocities measuring the velocity of sound the velocity of a bullet
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Recent Examples on the Web

 His changeup, despite the high velocity, had hitters out in front. — Julian Mcwilliams, BostonGlobe.com, "Eduardo Rodriguez, Mookie Betts shine in Red Sox victory over Twins," 4 Sep. 2019 The unheralded hero of any speed run is the tires: At a certain threshold, the rubber can’t properly grip the asphalt, capping the car’s velocity. — Wired, "Bugatti's Chiron Clocks 305 MPH Thanks to Top-Notch Tires," 3 Sep. 2019 As the band defined its style in 2010, mainly comprising of its members' influences, the name Calibre 50 was based on a bullet and the velocity with which the band aimed to thrive. — Pamela Bustios, Billboard, "Calibre 50 Talks 'Simplemente Gracias' & Its 'Risky, Crazy, but Original' Sound," 30 Aug. 2019 The researchers were looking for changes in the radial velocity of the star. — John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, "This Exoplanet Has the Weirdest Orbit We've Ever Seen," 27 Aug. 2019 In fact, this kind of skewed distribution has appeared across multiple scales in the brain — in the firing rates of neurons, in the strength of synapses, and in the conduction velocity of axons, for example. — Quanta Magazine, "In Brain’s Electrical Ripples, Markers for Memories Appear," 6 Aug. 2019 Kenley Jansen doesn’t have the same velocity or movement on his cutter, causing him to throw more sliders. — Tom Verducci, SI.com, "Another World Series Run for Dodgers Seems Inevitable," 22 July 2019 With every pitcher tossing just an inning, the velocity came easy – as did the clean innings. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "American League wins MLB All-Star Game to extend winning streak to seven games," 9 July 2019 Gaps in the Skyline The new skyline is surprising, in part, because of the velocity of newcomers. — Stefanos Chen, New York Times, "New York City’s Evolving Skyline," 5 June 2019

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

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First Known Use of velocity

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for velocity

Middle English velocite, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French veloceté, borrowed from Latin vēlōcitāt-, vēlōcitās, from vēlōc-, vēlōx "swift, rapid" (of uncertain origin) + -itāt-, -itās -ity

Note: If going back to earlier *ueg-s-l-o-, perhaps a derivative from the base of vegēre "to give vigor to, enliven" (see vegetate) or vehere "to convey" (Indo-European *u̯eǵh-; see vehicle), assimilated to the -ōk- of ātrōx, ferōx (see atrocious, ferocious). Alternatively, a derivative *uē-lo-, from the Indo-European base *h2u̯eh1- "blow" (hence, "windlike"; see wind entry 1) has been suggested.

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More Definitions for velocity

velocity

noun
How to pronounce velocity (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of velocity

: quickness of motion

See the full definition for velocity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

velocity

noun
ve·​loc·​i·​ty | \ və-ˈlä-sə-tē How to pronounce velocity (audio) \
plural velocities

Kids Definition of velocity

: quickness of motion : speed

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More from Merriam-Webster on velocity

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with velocity

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for velocity

Spanish Central: Translation of velocity

Nglish: Translation of velocity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of velocity for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about velocity

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