accelerator

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tor ik-ˈse-lə-ˌrā-tər 

ak-

plural accelerators

: one that accelerates: such as

a

: a muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action

b

: a device (such as a gas pedal) for increasing the speed of a motor vehicle engine

c

: a substance that speeds a chemical reaction

d

: an apparatus for imparting high velocities to charged particles (such as electrons)

e

: an item of computer hardware that increases the speed at which a program or function operates

a graphics accelerator

Examples of accelerator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If anything, the Trump administration should be putting their foot on the accelerator to ensure there is adequate staff to address all these public health issues. —Omer Awan, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Because virtually no material changes their course, however, the direction of neutrinos’ travel should point reliably back to the mysterious and incredibly powerful cosmic accelerators that launched them, such as a gamma-ray burst. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025

Powerful compact accelerators could allow new particle physics experiments without requiring kilometer-scale infrastructure. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025

The Enduring Founder Framework: Building Resilience for Long-Term Success Traditional accelerator models see to the foundations of a startup and then set them loose, kind of like releasing a baby bird into the wild. —Daniel Fusch, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

accelerate + -or entry 1

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing accelerator

• accelerator mass spectrometry
• linear accelerator
• particle accelerator

Rhymes for accelerator

• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• attenuator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator
• coordinator

Kids Definition

accelerator

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tor ik-ˈsel-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

ak-

1

: one that accelerates

2

: a device (as a pedal) in a motor vehicle used to control the speed of the motor

3

: a device that is used to give high velocities to charged particles (as electrons and protons)

Medical Definition

accelerator

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tor ik-ˈsel-ə-ˌrāt-ər, ak- 

: one that accelerates: as

a

: a muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action

a cardiac accelerator

b

: a substance that speeds a chemical reaction

c

: an apparatus for imparting high velocities to charged particles (as electrons)