velocity

noun

ve·​loc·​i·​ty və-ˈlä-sə-tē 

-ˈlä-stē

plural velocities

1

a

: 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

3

a

: rate of occurrence or action : rapidity

the velocity of historical change

—R. J. Lifton

b

: rate of turnover

the velocity of money

Synonyms

• celerity
• fastness
• fleetness
• haste
• hurry
• quickness
• rapidity
• rapidness
• speed
• speediness
• swiftness

Examples of velocity in a Sentence

particles moving at high velocities

measuring the velocity of sound

the velocity of a bullet

Recent Examples on the Web

Related article Webb telescope spots a star on the brink of exploding The Keck Cosmic Web Imager enabled measurements of the velocity of any material within the nebula that emits light. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024

The Big Picture Despite the dynamics shaping the hospitality sector's comeback, a high-interest rate environment still looms with overvaluations affecting transaction velocity, capital expenditures and refinancings. —Carlos Jose Rodriguez Sr, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

At the dawn of the week, Venus and Mars decide to get together and go for it, launching us into Monday at high velocity. —Jennifer Culp, Them, 4 Oct. 2024

And with pitcher Jack Flaherty lacking both command and velocity, Roberts had three fraught options before him. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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.

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing velocity

• angular velocity
• escape velocity

Kids Definition

velocity

noun

ve·​loc·​i·​ty və-ˈläs-ət-ē 

-ˈläs-tē

plural velocities

1

: quickness of motion : speed

the velocity of sound

2

: the rate of change of position along a straight line with respect to time

3

: rate of occurrence or action

the velocity of political change