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
Mark Twain
c
: speed imparted to something
the power pitcher relies on velocity—Tony Scherman
Tony Scherman2
: 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
R. 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
The four-seamer has always been an average pitch with average velocity (93-94 MPH), but his value is in his offspeed pitches.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
The exit velocity was 108.5 miles per hour, the launch angle 32 degrees.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
If buyers initiate the velocity max feature, the vehicle can reach 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque, Cadillac said.
—Jackie Charniga, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
The instrument seeks out planets by detecting the subtle wobble of stars as the gravity of orbiting planets tug on their stellar hosts, known as the radial velocity technique.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for velocity
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Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
The exit velocity was 108.5 miles per hour, the launch angle 32 degrees.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
If buyers initiate the velocity max feature, the vehicle can reach 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque, Cadillac said.
—Jackie Charniga, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
The instrument seeks out planets by detecting the subtle wobble of stars as the gravity of orbiting planets tug on their stellar hosts, known as the radial velocity technique.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for velocity
Cite this Entry
“Velocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/velocity. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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