acceleration

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tion ik-ˌse-lə-ˈrā-shən 

(ˌ)ak-

1

a

: the act or process of moving faster or happening more quickly : the act or process of accelerating

rapid acceleration

the acceleration of economic growth

b

: ability to accelerate

a car with good acceleration

2

physics : the rate of change of velocity with respect to time

broadly : change of velocity

Examples of acceleration in a Sentence

The car delivers quick acceleration.

There has been some acceleration in economic growth.

There has been an acceleration in economic growth.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even with this acceleration in China revenue since Nvidia was hit with export restrictions in Q4 2023, China’s contribution remains lower than historical levels, in the low 20% region. —Beth Kindig, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

In the note, Keane wrote that Square payments volume growth has likely already bottomed, pointing to an acceleration in volume in October. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024

This conclusion was reached thanks to new data about the accelerations of nearby pulsars—rapidly spinning neutron stars that emit beams of radiation that sweep out through space light the beacon of a lighthouse. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Whether this powertrain or performance level is enough to wow buyers accustomed to cars of similar acceleration is an open question, but also, perhaps, an academic one; Ferrari says all 799 examples have already been spoken for, even at an asking price of just shy of $4 million a pop. —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French acceleratiun, borrowed from Latin accelerātiōn-, accelerātiō, from accelerāre "to accelerate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing acceleration

• acceleration of gravity
• acceleration principle
• angular acceleration

Kids Definition

acceleration

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tion ik-ˌsel-ə-ˈrā-shən 

ak-

1

: the act or process of accelerating : the state of being accelerated

2

: the rate of change of velocity with respect to time

also : change in velocity

Medical Definition

acceleration

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tion ik-ˌsel-ə-ˈrā-shən, (ˌ)ak- 

1

: the act or process of accelerating : the state of being accelerated

2

: change of velocity

also : the rate of this change

3

: advancement in mental growth or achievement beyond the average for one's age