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
Vehicles of all types incur fuel economy losses because of wind resistance, which is considerably stronger at highway velocities.
—Peter Douglas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Throwing fewer four-seamers resulted in higher average four-seamer velocity, and the pitch played up even more.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
In Los Angeles, add to that mix the warm Santa Ana winds, which sweep into the basin of the San Fernando Valley and are then channeled into the canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, reaching hurricane-level velocities in the process.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Right | Acquired: 2022 draft C.J. Culpepper was viewed as a marginal prospect at Dallas Baptist in 2022, but the Twins picked him in the 13th round and quickly boosted his velocity.
—Aaron Gleeman, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for velocity 
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Peter Douglas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Throwing fewer four-seamers resulted in higher average four-seamer velocity, and the pitch played up even more.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
In Los Angeles, add to that mix the warm Santa Ana winds, which sweep into the basin of the San Fernando Valley and are then channeled into the canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, reaching hurricane-level velocities in the process.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Right | Acquired: 2022 draft C.J. Culpepper was viewed as a marginal prospect at Dallas Baptist in 2022, but the Twins picked him in the 13th round and quickly boosted his velocity.
—Aaron Gleeman, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
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 24 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
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