velocity

noun

ve·​loc·​i·​ty və-ˈlä-sə-tē How to pronounce velocity (audio)
-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 velocityMark Twain
c
: speed imparted to something
the power pitcher relies on velocityTony 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 changeR. J. Lifton
b
: rate of turnover
the velocity of money

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Throughout the past decade, pitchers have turned their focus to training techniques that increase their average velocity and the over-all movement of the ball—even at the expense of throwing strikes. Lindsey Adler, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025 The new one also has more velocity, moving in the high 70s, about 10 mph faster than his old one. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025 His sinker sat 96 mph in the exhibition season — a full 2 mph harder than his average velocity in 2024. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 Projected top relievers Duran was less dominant last season, shedding 1.5 mph in average fastball velocity and 12 percent of his strikeouts compared to 2023. Aaron Gleeman, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for velocity

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of velocity was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Velocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/velocity. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

velocity

noun
ve·​loc·​i·​ty və-ˈläs-ət-ē How to pronounce velocity (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on velocity

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