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

Sean Keeler: The heart wants to pound the accelerator. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 18 Nov. 2024

Nvidia designs about 75% of the world’s AI accelerators, the semiconductor technology powering generative AI applications like OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot, as demand spikes for the graphics processing units produced by Nvidia. —Derek Saul, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

It was previously selected in Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs’s accelerator, which had a focus on generative AI. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024

Putting foot power into the accelerator engages the engine almost instantly. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

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

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)