1 speed
/ˈspiːd/
noun
plural
speeds
1 speed
/ˈspiːd/
noun
plural
speeds
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPEED
1
:
the rate at which someone or something moves or travels
[noncount]
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The trucks gain/gather speed as they drive down the hill. = The trucks pick up speed as they drive down the hill. [=the trucks go faster as they drive down the hill]
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This instrument measures wind speed.
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He was running at full/top speed. [=as fast as possible]
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The machine was operating at high/medium/low speed.
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traveling at nearly the speed of light/sound
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[count]
-
Under the right conditions the car can reach speeds over 200 miles an hour.
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The vehicle maintained a speed of 40 miles per hour.
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2
:
the rate at which something happens or is done
[noncount]
-
The work was done with remarkable speed.
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They ate their lunch at lightning speed. [=extremely quickly]
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[count]
-
This computer works at a much faster processing speed than my old one.
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He types at a speed of about 50 words per minute. = His typing speed is about 50 words per minute.
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3
[noncount]
:
the quality of being quick
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The machine chops up tree branches and leaves with speed and ease.
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4
[count]
photography
a
:
a measurement that indicates how quickly film reacts to light and that is expressed as a number (such as 100 or 200)
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200 speed film
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b
:
the time during which a camera's shutter is open
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faster/slower shutter speeds
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5
[count]
:
a gear in a vehicle or bicycle
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a three-speed bicycle
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Her old car has four speeds.
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6
[noncount]
informal
:
an illegal drug that makes a person feel more excited and full of energy
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He was high on speed.
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at speed
chiefly British
:
very quickly
:
at a fast speed
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He ran at speed out of the room.
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up to speed
:
having the latest information about something
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Everyone here is up to speed.
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Let me bring you up to speed on our plans. [=let me tell you about the changes in our plans]
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:
having the knowledge that is needed to do or understand something
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It will take some time for the new secretary to get up to speed. [=to learn the job]
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2 speed
/ˈspiːd/
verb
speeds;
sped
/ˈspɛd/
or
speeded;
speeding
2 speed
/ˈspiːd/
verb
speeds;
sped
/ˈspɛd/
or
speeded;
speeding
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPEED
1
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[no object]
:
to move fast
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A group of kids sped past us on their bikes.
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They jumped in the car and sped/speeded away.
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A car was speeding down/up the street.
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2
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[+ object]
:
to move (someone or something) somewhere very quickly
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An ambulance sped her to the hospital.
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3
[no object]
:
to drive faster than the legal speed limit
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I got pulled over twice last month because I was speeding on the highway.
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Don't speed.
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4
[+ object]
somewhat formal
:
to cause (an action, movement, process, etc.) to happen faster
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We kept the plants under artificial lights at night to speed their growth.
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Is there anything we can do to speed the process (along)?
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speed up
[phrasal verb]
speed up
or
speed up (something or someone)
or
speed (something or someone) up
:
to become faster or to make (something or someone) faster
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I hate it when cars speed up [=accelerate] while you're trying to pass them.
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The work has been slow so far but it should speed up soon.
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They add another chemical to the photo developer to speed up the process.
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I'm afraid there's nothing you can do to speed things up.
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They're working too slowly. How can we speed them up?
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— see also speedup
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the concept of speed. Let's dive into the various facets covered in the article:
1. Speed as a Noun:
- Definition 1: The rate at which someone or something moves. For example, trucks gaining speed downhill or a machine operating at high speed.
- Definition 2: The rate at which something happens or is done. It can refer to the quick completion of work or eating lunch at lightning speed.
- Definition 3: The quality of being quick, as seen in the efficiency of a machine chopping up tree branches with speed and ease.
- Definition 4: In photography, a measurement indicating how quickly film reacts to light or the time during which a camera's shutter is open.
2. Speed as a Countable Noun:
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Definition 5: Refers to gears in vehicles or bicycles, such as a three-speed bicycle or a car with four speeds.
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Definition 6: Informally, speed can also mean an illegal drug that induces excitement and energy.
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Phrase: "At speed" (chiefly British) means very quickly, as in someone running at speed out of a room.
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Phrase: "Up to speed" means having the latest information or knowledge about something.
3. Speed as a Verb:
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Definition 1: To move fast, as in a group of kids speeding past on their bikes.
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Definition 2: To move someone or something somewhere very quickly, like an ambulance speeding to the hospital.
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Definition 3: To drive faster than the legal speed limit.
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Definition 4: Somewhat formally, to cause an action, movement, process, etc., to happen faster.
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Phrasal Verb: "Speed up" means to become faster or to make something or someone faster. For instance, cars accelerating or efforts to speed up a process.
This comprehensive understanding of speed encompasses its physical aspects, temporal dimensions, and even its informal usage in different contexts. If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like to explore further, feel free to let me know!
