Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense speeds, present participle speeding, past tense, past participle sped, past tense, past participle speededlanguage note: The form of the past tense and past participle is sped in meaning [sense 5] but speeded for the phrasal verb.
1. variable noun
The speed of something is the rate at which it moves or travels.
He drove off at high speed.
With this type of camera, the shutter speed is fixed.
An electrical pulse in a wire travels close to the speed of light.
Wind speeds reached force five.
Synonyms: rate, pace, momentum, tempo More Synonyms of speed
2. countable noun
The speed of something is the rate at which it happens or is done.
In the late 1850s the speed of technological change quickened.
Each learner can proceed at his own speed.
3. uncountable noun
Speed is very fast movement or travel.
Speed is the essential ingredient of all athletics.
He put on a burst of speed.
The car is quite noisy at speed.
Synonyms: velocity, swiftness, acceleration, precipitation More Synonyms of speed
4. uncountable noun
Speed is a very fast rate at which something happens or is done.
I was amazed at his speed of working. [+ of]
...the sheer speed of the unification process. [+ of]
Synonyms: swiftness, rush, hurry, expedition More Synonyms of speed
5. verb
If you speed somewhere, you move or travel there quickly, usually in a vehicle.
Cars continue to speed through our beautiful village. [VERB preposition/adverb]
The engine noise rises only slightly as I speed along. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: race, rush, hurry, zoom More Synonyms of speed
6. verb [usually cont]
Someone who is speeding is driving a vehicle faster than the legal speed limit.
This man was not qualified to drive and was speeding. [VERB]
Synonyms: exceed the speed limit, drive too fast, break the speed limit More Synonyms of speed
speedinguncountable noun
He was fined for speeding last year.
7. uncountable noun
Speed is an illegal drug such as amphetamine which some people take to increase their energy and excitement.
[informal]
8. See also -speed
9. pick up speed
10.
See up to speed
Phrasal verbs:
See speed up
More Synonyms of speed
-speed
(-spiːd)
combining form
-speed is used after numbers to form adjectives that indicate that a bicycle or car has a particular number of gears.
...a 10-speed bicycle.
speed in British English
(spiːd)
noun
1.
the act or quality of acting or moving fast; rapidity
2.
the rate at which something moves, is done, or acts
3. physics
a scalar measure of the rate of movement of a body expressed either as the distance travelled divided by the time taken (average speed) or the rate of change of position with respect to time at a particular point (instantaneous speed). It is measured in metres per second, miles per hour, etc
4.
a rate of rotation, usually expressed in revolutions per unit time
5.
a.
a gear ratio in a motor vehicle, bicycle, etc
b.
(in combination)
a three-speed gear
6. photography
a numerical expression of the sensitivity to light of a particular type of film, paper, or plate
See also ISO rating
7. photography
a measure of the ability of a lens to pass light from an object to the image position, determined by the aperture and also the transmitting power of the lens. It increases as the f-number is decreased and vice versa
8. a slang word for amphetamine
9. archaic
prosperity or success
10. at speed
11. up to speed
verbWord forms: speeds, speeding, sped or speeded
12.
to move or go or cause to move or go quickly
13. (intransitive)
to drive (a motor vehicle) at a high speed, esp above legal limits
14. (transitive)
to help further the success or completion of
15. (intransitive) slang
to take or be under the influence of amphetamines
16. (intransitive)
to operate or run at a high speed
17. archaic
a. (intransitive)
to prosper or succeed
b. (transitive)
to wish success to
Derived forms
speeder (ˈspeeder)
noun
Word origin
Old English spēd (originally in the sense: success); related to spōwan to succeed, Latin spēs hope, Old Slavonic spěti to be lucky
speed in American English
(spid)
noun
1.
the act or state of moving rapidly; swiftness; quick motion
2.
a.
the rate of movement or motion; velocity (sense 2) velocity (sense 2a)
b.
the magnitude of a velocity (sense 2) velocity (sense 2b)
c.
the rate or rapidity of any action
reading speed
3.
a gear or arrangement of gears for the drive of an engine or bicycle
a truck with five forward speeds
4. Informal
one's kind or level of taste, capability, etc.
5. US, Slang
any of various amphetamine compounds, esp. methedrine
6. Archaic
luck; success; prosperity
to wish someone good speed
7. Photography
a.
the sensitivity of film to light, expressed in various numerical scales
b.
the widest effective aperture of a camera lens
see also f-number
c.
the length of time the shutter is opened for an exposure
adjective
8.
of or having to do with speed
verb intransitiveWord forms: sped or ˈspeeded, ˈspeeding
9.
to move rapidly, esp. more rapidly than is safe or allowed by law
10. Archaic
a.
to get along; fare
b.
to have fortune, good or bad
c.
to have good fortune; prosper; succeed
verb transitive
11.
to help (a project) to succeed; aid; promote
12.
to wish Godspeed to
to speed the parting guest
13.
to send, convey, or cause to move, go, etc. swiftly
to speed a letter on its way
14.
to cause or design (a machine, etc.) to operate at a certain speed or speeds
15. Archaic
to cause to succeed or prosper
SIMILAR WORDS: haste
Idioms:
at speed
speed up
up to speed
Word origin
ME sped < OE spæd, wealth, power, success, akin to spowan, to prosper, succeed < IE base *spēi-, to flourish, expand > space, spare
More idioms containing
speed
bring someone up to speed
bring something up to speed
COBUILD Collocations
speed
excessive speed
fast speed
incredible speed
maximum speed
sheer speed
slow speed
Examples of 'speed' in a sentence
speed
This process has speeded up dramatically due to the high price of fuel.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Surely staff not needed elsewhere could be moved to speed this project up.
The Sun (2009)
You have to have a huge amount of respect for it because the speeds are so high.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They measure average speed between two points.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The "windows of opportunity" that exist can close with surprising speed.
Tom Cannon Basic Marketing. Principles and Practice (1986)
You can paint faster than the speed of light.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Their exit from the currency may be as fast as the speed at which they entered.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They will have to get up to speed quickly.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This trick will subconsciously increase your speed and power.
The Sun (2012)
The researchers also found that speed cameras also had only a limited impact on speeding.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The doors now creak at low speeds over bumpy roads.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Do such vehicles have speed cameras and can the officers give out speeding fines?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Prior reckons that he got too bulky last winter and that it affected his speed of movement.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The elephant was trundling along at full speed.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The system would be enforced by speed cameras mounted along the managed sections of motorway.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The only thing we have to change is the speed of our passing for the forwards.
The Sun (2009)
Was it the fact that large portions of this walk were uphill and conducted at great speed?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They would realise there are police cars speeding through the traffic.
The Sun (2015)
We watched more bulls being driven at speed past coffee and hot dog stalls.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They can come and go faster than the speed of your shutter button.
The Sun (2015)
It moved at four times the speed of jet aircraft from the time.
The Sun (2013)
Speed and position must be very quickly corrected.
Admiral Sandy Woodward, With Patrick Robinson ONE HUNDRED DAYS (2003)
The first was that speed was essential.
Jenkins, Roy Truman (1986)
This deal can only speed up the process and frank the values already paid.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Perhaps he went for his speed and energy as it can't be for his subtlety.
The Sun (2009)
In other languages
speed
British English: speed /spiːd/ NOUN
The speed of something is the rate at which it moves, happens, or is done.
He drove off at high speed.
American English: speed
Arabic: سُرْعَة
Brazilian Portuguese: velocidade
Chinese: 速度
Croatian: brzina
Czech: rychlost
Danish: hastighed
Dutch: snelheid
European Spanish: velocidad
Finnish: nopeus
French: vitesse rapidité
German: Geschwindigkeit
Greek: ταχύτητα
Italian: velocità
Japanese: 速さ
Korean: 속도
Norwegian: hastighet
Polish: szybkość
European Portuguese: velocidade
Romanian: viteză
Russian: скорость
Latin American Spanish: velocidad
Swedish: hastighet
Thai: ความเร็ว
Turkish: hız
Ukrainian: швидкість
Vietnamese: sự nhanh nhẹn
British English: speed VERB
If you speed somewhere, you move or travel there quickly, usually in a vehicle.
Trains will speed through the tunnel at 186 mph.
American English: speed
Brazilian Portuguese: correr
Chinese: 迅速疾驰通常指乘车
European Spanish: conducir a gran velocidad
French: rouler à toute vitesse
German: flitzen
Italian: andare a tutta velocità
Japanese: 疾走する
Korean: 빠르게 가다
European Portuguese: correr
Latin American Spanish: conducir a gran velocidad
All related terms of 'speed'
at speed
quickly
off-speed
designating or of a pitch , as a change-up, that is slower than a pitcher's fast pitches
speed cop
a police officer who rides a motorcycle and who checks the speeds at which motorists are travelling
speed up
When something speeds up or when you speed it up , it moves or travels faster.
ten-speed
a bicycle equipped with a derailleur of ten speeds , or gear arrangements
two-speed
(of a transmission system) having two settings
base speed
a pure pinkish-grey form of the drug amphetamine with a putty-like consistency
fast speed
The speed of something is the rate at which it moves or travels .
film speed
the sensitivity to light of a photographic film, specified in terms of the film's ISO rating
full speed
the maximum speed
good speed
success ; good luck
group speed
the speed at which energy is propagated in a wave . This is the quantity determined when one measures the distance which the radiation travels in a given time. In a medium in which the speed increases with wavelength the group speed is less than the phase speed, and vice versa
high-speed
High-speed is used to describe something that travels , moves, or works very quickly.
idle speed
The idle speed of an engine is its speed when it has no load and is on a minimum throttle setting .
phase speed
the speed at which the phase of a wave is propagated , the product of the frequency times the wavelength . This is the quantity that is determined by methods using interference . In a dispersive medium it differs from the group speed
sheer speed
The speed of something is the rate at which it moves or travels.
slow speed
The speed of something is the rate at which it moves or travels .
speed brake
an airplane flap designed to decrease flight speed, esp. when landing
speed bump
a raised band across a road , designed to make motorists reduce their speed , esp in built-up areas
speed check
a method of checking the speed at which vehicles are travelling , used by police
speed chess
a form of chess in which each player's game is limited to a total stipulated time, usually half an hour ; the first player to exceed the time limit loses
speed demon
a person who travels or works at high speed
speed dial
Speed dial is a facility on a phone that allows you to call a number by pressing a single button rather than by dialling the full number.
speed limit
The speed limit on a road is the maximum speed at which you are legally allowed to drive .
speed metal
a style of heavy-metal rock music that emphasizes fast tempos, jolting rhythms , limited harmonic development , anguished and rebellious lyrics , etc.
speed ramp
a raised band across a road, designed to make motorists reduce their speed , esp in built-up areas
speed trap
a section of road on which the police check the speed of vehicles, often using radar
speed zone
an area where a different, usually reduced, speed limit is in effect
warp speed
a very high rate of speed; extremely fast pace
wave speed
the speed at which the phase of a wave is propagated , the product of the frequency times the wavelength . This is the quantity that is determined by methods using interference . In a dispersive medium it differs from the group speed
average speed
a scalar measure of the rate of movement of a body expressed as the distance travelled divided by the time taken
landing speed
the minimum air speed at which an aircraft lands safely
maximum speed
The speed of something is the rate at which it moves or travels .
reading speed
the rate at which something is read , often expressed in terms of words per minute . Reading speed is usually determined by the purpose of reading (for comprehension , learning , memorization, etc)
shutter speed
the nominal time that shutter is open for at a particular setting
speed camera
A speed camera is a camera positioned at the side of a road which automatically photographs vehicles that are going faster than is allowed . The photographs can be used as evidence in a court of law .
speed dating
Speed dating is a method of introducing unattached people to potential partners by arranging for them to meet a series of people on a single occasion .
speed reading
a method of reading faster than normal, esp by skimming
speed skating
ice skating as a form of racing, usually on an oval course and against other competitors or the clock
typing speed
the number of words someone can accurately type in one minute
critical speed
Critical speed is the speed at which unwanted vibration happens when a vessel is rotating .
cruising speed
the speed at which a ship, car , or aircraft travels most efficiently
dictation speed
a speed of speaking that enables someone to take down what is being said
excessive speed
The speed of something is the rate at which it moves or travels .
speed indicator
an instrument for counting the number of revolutions of a gasoline engine
speed merchant
a person who habitually drives too fast in a motor vehicle
up to speed
If you are up to speed , you have all the most recent information that you need about something.
incredible speed
The speed of something is the rate at which it moves or travels .
speed networking
the practice of trying to form business connections and contacts through meetings at which individuals are given the opportunity to have several conversations of limited duration with strangers
speed restriction
the maximum speed allowed for road vehicles, trains , or other vehicles
at a speed of 70km/h以时(時)速70公里 (yǐ shísù qīshí gōnglǐ)
a five-speed gearbox5速变(變)速箱 (wǔ sù biànsùxiāng)
All related terms of 'speed'
speed up
( car, runner etc ) 加快速度 jiākuài sùdù
top speed
全速 quánsù
speed limit
速度极(極)限 sùdù jíxiàn [ 个(個) gè ]
speed camera
电(電)子眼 diànzǐ yǎn
at full speed
以全速 yǐ quánsù
to gather speed
逐渐(漸)加速 zhújiàn jiāsù
"reduce speed now"
( Aut ) "现(現)在减(減)速" "xiànzài jiǎnsù"
to pick up speed
加速 jiāsù
a five-speed gearbox
5速变(變)速箱 wǔ sù biànsùxiāng
with lightning speed
闪(閃)电(電)般的 shǎndiànbān de
at full or top speed
以最高速度 yǐ zuì gāo sùdù
at a speed of 70km/h
以时(時)速70公里 yǐ shísù qīshí gōnglǐ
speed is of the essence
( frm ) 速度是至关(關)重要的 sùdù shì zhìguān zhòngyào de
to speed along/by etc
沿着(著) 等 ... 迅速行进(進) yánzhe děng ... xùnsù xíngjìn
1 (noun)
Definition
the rate at which something moves or happens
He drove off at high speed.
Synonyms
rate
The rate at which hair grows can be agonisingly slow.
pace
driving at a steady pace
momentum
tempo
Elgar supplied his work with precise indications of tempo.
velocity
the velocity at which the planets orbit
2 (noun)
Definition
the quality of acting or moving fast
Speed is the essential ingredient of all athletics.
Synonyms
velocity
swiftness
With incredible swiftness she ran down the passage.
acceleration
precipitation
rapidity
the rapidity with which the weather can change
quickness
fastness
briskness
speediness
precipitateness
3 (noun)
Definition
the quality of acting or moving fast
I was amazed at his speed of working.
Synonyms
swiftness
rush
The explosion caused panic and a mad rush for the doors.
hurry
the hurry of people wanting to get home
expedition
He was praised for having acted with such expedition.
haste
Authorities appear to be moving with haste against the three dissidents.
rapidity
quickness
fleetness
celerity (formal)
Opposites
slowness
,
sluggishness
,
tardiness
,
delay
1 (verb)
Definition
to move or go somewhere quickly
The engine noise rises only slightly as I speed along.
Synonyms
race
They raced away out of sight.
rush
Someone inside the building rushed out.
hurry
Claire hurried along the road.
zoom
A police car zoomed by.
career
The car went careering off down the track.
bomb (along)
tear
The door flew open and she tore into the room.
flash
Cars flashed by every few minutes.
belt (along) (slang)
barrel (along) (informal, mainly US, Canadian)
sprint
He sprinted to the car.
gallop
They were galloping around the garden playing football.
hasten
She hastened along the landing to her room.
press on
quicken
lose no time
get a move on (informal)
burn rubber (informal)
bowl along
put your foot down (informal)
step on it (informal)
make haste
go hell for leather (informal)
exceed the speed limit
go like a bomb (British, New Zealand, informal)
go like the wind
go like a bat out of hell
Opposites
creep
,
crawl
,
take your time
,
dawdle
, tarry
2 (verb)
Definition
to drive a motor vehicle faster than the legal limit
This man was not qualified to drive and was speeding.
Synonyms
exceed the speed limit
drive too fast
break the speed limit
3 (verb)
Invest in low-cost language courses to speed your progress.
Synonyms
help
If you're not willing to help me, I'll find somebody who will.
further
Education needn't only be about furthering your career.
advance
He was busy advancing other people's work.
aid
Calcium may aid the prevention of dental decay.
promote
His country will do everything possible to promote peace.
boost
companies seeking to boost their product ranges
assist
a chemical that assists in the manufacture of proteins
facilitate
The new airport will facilitate the development of tourism.
fast-track
impel
expedite
We will do all we can to expedite the procedure
Opposites
slow
,
delay
,
hold up
,
hamper
, hinder, retard,
slow down
Phrasal verbs
See speed something up
See speed up
Usage note
The past tense of speed up is speeded up (not sped up), for example I speeded up to overtake the lorry. The past participle is also speeded up, for example I had already speeded up when I spotted the police car.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of advance
Definition
to further a cause
He was busy advancing other people's work.
Synonyms
promote,
help,
further,
aid,
forward,
champion,
push,
encourage,
assist,
plug (informal),
pave the way for,
hasten,
patronize,
succour,
lend support to
in the sense of aid
Calcium may aid the prevention of dental decay.
Synonyms
promote,
help,
further,
forward,
encourage,
favour,
facilitate,
pave the way for,
expedite,
smooth the path of,
assist the progress of
in the sense of assist
a chemical that assists in the manufacture of proteins
Synonyms
facilitate,
help,
further,
serve,
aid,
forward,
promote,
boost,
ease,
sustain,
reinforce,
speed up,
pave the way for,
make easy,
expedite,
oil the wheels,
smooth the path of,
assist the progress of
Synonyms of 'speed'
speed
Explore 'speed' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of boost
Definition
to advertise on a big scale
companies seeking to boost their product ranges
Synonyms
promote,
improve,
encourage,
advance,
advertise,
praise,
plug (informal),
hype,
crack up (informal),
big up (slang)
in the sense of career
Definition
to rush in an uncontrolled way
The car went careering off down the track.
Synonyms
rush,
race,
speed,
tear,
dash,
barrel (along) (informal),
bolt,
hurtle,
burn rubber (informal)
in the sense of celerity
Definition
swiftness
Synonyms
speed,
expedition,
dispatch,
velocity,
haste,
rapidity,
quickness,
swiftness,
promptness,
fleetness
in the sense of expedite
Definition
to hasten the progress of
We will do all we can to expedite the procedure
Synonyms
speed (up),
forward,
promote,
advance,
press,
urge,
rush,
assist,
hurry,
accelerate,
dispatch,
facilitate,
hasten,
precipitate,
quicken,
fast-track
in the sense of expedition
He was praised for having acted with such expedition.
Synonyms
speed,
hurry,
dispatch,
readiness,
haste,
alacrity,
rapidity,
quickness,
swiftness,
promptness,
celerity (formal),
expeditiousness
in the sense of facilitate
Definition
to make easier the progress of
The new airport will facilitate the development of tourism.
Synonyms
further,
help,
forward,
promote,
ease,
speed up,
pave the way for,
fast-track,
make easy,
expedite,
oil the wheels of,
smooth the path of,
assist the progress of
in the sense of flash
Definition
to move very fast
Cars flashed by every few minutes.
Synonyms
speed,
race,
shoot,
fly,
tear,
sweep,
dash,
barrel (along) (informal),
whistle,
sprint,
bolt,
streak,
dart,
zoom,
burn rubber (informal)
in the sense of further
Definition
to assist the progress of (something)
Education needn't only be about furthering your career.
Synonyms
promote,
help,
develop,
aid,
forward,
champion,
push,
encourage,
speed,
advance,
work for,
foster,
contribute to,
assist,
plug (informal),
facilitate,
pave the way for,
hasten,
fast-track,
patronize,
expedite,
succour,
lend support to
in the sense of gallop
Definition
to move or progress rapidly
They were galloping around the garden playing football.
Synonyms
dash,
run,
race,
shoot,
fly,
career,
speed,
tear,
rush,
barrel (along) (informal),
sprint,
dart,
zoom
in the sense of haste
Definition
speed, esp. in an action
Authorities appear to be moving with haste against the three dissidents.
Synonyms
speed,
rapidity,
urgency,
expedition,
dispatch,
velocity,
alacrity,
quickness,
swiftness,
briskness,
nimbleness,
fleetness,
celerity,
promptitude,
rapidness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of hasten
She hastened along the landing to her room.
Synonyms
rush,
run,
race,
fly,
speed,
tear (along),
dash,
hurry (up),
barrel (along) (informal),
sprint,
bolt,
beetle,
scuttle,
scurry,
haste,
burn rubber (informal),
step on it (informal),
make haste,
get your skates on (informal)
in the sense of hurry
Definition
urgency or eagerness
the hurry of people wanting to get home
Synonyms
rush,
haste,
speed,
urgency,
bustle,
flurry,
commotion,
precipitation,
quickness,
celerity (formal),
promptitude
in the sense of hurry
Definition
to move or act, or cause to move or act, in great haste
Claire hurried along the road.
Synonyms
rush,
fly,
dash,
barrel (along) (informal),
scurry,
scoot,
burn rubber (informal)
in the sense of pace
Definition
speed of doing some other activity
driving at a steady pace
Synonyms
speed,
rate,
momentum,
tempo,
progress,
motion,
clip (informal),
lick (informal),
velocity
in the sense of promote
Definition
to work for
His country will do everything possible to promote peace.
Synonyms
help,
back,
support,
further,
develop,
aid,
forward,
champion,
encourage,
advance,
work for,
urge,
boost,
recommend,
sponsor,
foster,
contribute to,
assist,
advocate,
stimulate,
endorse,
prescribe,
speak for,
nurture,
push for,
espouse,
popularize,
gee up
in the sense of rapidity
the rapidity with which the weather can change
Synonyms
speed,
swiftness,
promptness,
speediness,
rush,
hurry,
expedition,
dispatch,
velocity,
haste,
alacrity,
quickness,
briskness,
fleetness,
celerity (formal),
promptitude,
precipitateness
in the sense of rush
Definition
a sudden quick or violent movement
The explosion caused panic and a mad rush for the doors.
Synonyms
dash,
charge,
race,
scramble,
stampede,
expedition,
speed,
dispatch
in the sense of rush
Definition
to move or do very quickly
Someone inside the building rushed out.
Synonyms
hurry,
run,
race,
shoot,
fly,
career,
speed,
tear,
dash,
sprint,
scramble,
bolt,
dart,
hasten,
scurry,
stampede,
lose no time,
make short work of,
burn rubber (informal),
make haste,
hotfoot
in the sense of sprint
Definition
to run or cycle a short distance at top speed
He sprinted to the car.
Synonyms
run,
race,
shoot,
tear,
dash,
barrel (along) (informal, US, Canadian),
dart,
hare (British, informal),
whizz (informal),
scamper,
hotfoot,
go like a bomb (British, New Zealand, informal),
put on a burst of speed,
go at top speed
in the sense of tear
Definition
to hurry or rush
The door flew open and she tore into the room.
Synonyms
rush,
run,
charge,
race,
shoot,
fly,
career,
speed,
belt (slang),
dash,
hurry,
barrel (along) (informal, US, Canadian),
sprint,
bolt,
dart,
gallop,
zoom,
burn rubber (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of tempo
Definition
the speed at which a piece of music is played or meant to be played
Elgar supplied his work with precise indications of tempo.