First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1speed
noun \ˈspēd\
: the rate at which someone or something moves or travels
: the rate at which something happens or is done
: the quality of being quick
Full Definition of SPEED
1
archaic : prosperity in an undertaking : success
2
3
: swiftness or rate of performance or action : velocity 3a
4
a : the sensitivity of a photographic film, plate, or paper expressed numerically b : the light-gathering power of a lens or optical system c : the time during which a camera shutter is open
5
: a transmission gear in automotive vehicles or bicycles —usually used in combination <a ten-speed bicycle>
6
: someone or something that appeals to one's taste <just my speed>
7
: methamphetamine; also : a related stimulant drug and especially an amphetamine
— speed·ster \ˈspēd-stər\ noun
— up to speed
: operating at full effectiveness or potential
See speed defined for English-language learners
See speed defined for kids
Origin of SPEED
Middle English spede, from Old English spēd; akin to Old High German spuot prosperity, speed, Old English spōwan to succeed, Latin spes hope, Lithuanian spėti to be in time
Related to SPEED
Synonym Discussion of SPEED
haste, hurry, speed, expedition, dispatch mean quickness in movement or action. haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness <marry in haste>. hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion <in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush>. speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action <exercises to increase your reading speed>. expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters <the case came to trial with expedition> <paid bills with dispatch>.
2speed
verb
: to move fast
: to move (someone or something) somewhere very quickly
: to drive faster than the legal speed limit
sped \ˈsped\ or speed·edspeed·ing
Full Definition of SPEED
intransitive verb
2
a : to make haste <sped to her bedside> b : to go or drive at excessive or illegal speed
3
: to move, work, or take place faster : accelerate <the heart speeds up>
transitive verb
1
a archaic : to cause or help to prosper : aid b : to further the success of
2
a : to cause to move quickly : hasten b : to wish Godspeed to c : to increase the speed of : accelerate
3
: to send out <speed an arrow>
— speed·er noun
See speed defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SPEED
before 12th century
Related to SPEED
- Synonyms
- barrel, belt, blast, blaze, blow, bolt, bomb [slang], bowl, breeze, bundle, bustle, buzz, cannonball, careen, career, chase, course, crack (on), dash, drive, fly, hare, hasten, hie, highball, hotfoot (it), hump, hurl, hurtle, hustle, jet, jump, motor, nip, pelt, race, ram, rip, rocket, run, rush, rustle, scoot, scurry, scuttle, shoot, hurry, step, tear, travel, trot, whirl, whisk, zip, zoom
SPEEDSTER Defined for Kids
1speed
noun \ˈspēd\
Definition of SPEED for Kids
1
: quickness in movement or action
2
: rate of moving or doing <a speed of 100 miles an hour>
2speed
verb
sped \ˈsped\ or speed·edspeed·ing
Definition of SPEED for Kids
1
: to move or cause to move fast : hurry
2
: to go or drive at too high a rate of movement <I got a ticket for speeding.>
3
: to increase the rate of an action or movement <How can we speed this process?>
— speed up
: to move more quickly
Medical Dictionary
speed
noun \ˈspēd\
Medical Definition of SPEED
: methamphetamine; also : a related stimulant drug and especially an amphetamine
Learn More About SPEED
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