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
Synonyms
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
Even small debris fragments can cause catastrophic damage to spacecraft due to their high velocity.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024
The authors were able to create such a 3D map of P 30 and calculated that the zombie star's filaments have ballistic motion, moving at approximately 1,000 kilometers per second.
Nor has that velocity changed since the explosion, enabling them to date that event almost exactly to 1181.
—Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
The findings, however, provided few concrete answers, other than confirming that as pitching velocities rise, so does the risk of injury.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Since the June 7 release of her sixth studio album, 32-year-old Charli’s joyride to the center of popular culture has accelerated at an astounding velocity.
—Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for velocity 
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.
Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024
The authors were able to create such a 3D map of P 30 and calculated that the zombie star's filaments have ballistic motion, moving at approximately 1,000 kilometers per second.
Nor has that velocity changed since the explosion, enabling them to date that event almost exactly to 1181.
—Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
The findings, however, provided few concrete answers, other than confirming that as pitching velocities rise, so does the risk of injury.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Since the June 7 release of her sixth studio album, 32-year-old Charli’s joyride to the center of popular culture has accelerated at an astounding velocity.
—Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for velocity
Dictionary Entries Near velocity
Cite this Entry
“Velocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/velocity. Accessed 18 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share