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
Perfecting the correct angle and velocity of the MetroCard swipe also became something of a point of pride separating real New Yorkers from those just visiting.
—Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025
Its abnormally high velocity of 36 miles per second (58 kilometers per second) told us that the speedy object, which became known as 3I/ATLAS, had probably been wandering interstellar space and receiving gravitational nudges from nearby stars since before our solar system even existed.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Once a story achieves the breakthrough velocity to become a franchise, it’s no longer rewarded for taking risks or striving for excellence.
—Judy Berman, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
Safdie was surprised that the physical demand on Chalamet, Kawaguchi, and the other players pretending to hit a ball was actually more complicated than doing it for real — getting the paddle position, spin, and velocity without actually hitting a ball was demanding.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for velocity
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Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025
Its abnormally high velocity of 36 miles per second (58 kilometers per second) told us that the speedy object, which became known as 3I/ATLAS, had probably been wandering interstellar space and receiving gravitational nudges from nearby stars since before our solar system even existed.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Once a story achieves the breakthrough velocity to become a franchise, it’s no longer rewarded for taking risks or striving for excellence.
—Judy Berman, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
Safdie was surprised that the physical demand on Chalamet, Kawaguchi, and the other players pretending to hit a ball was actually more complicated than doing it for real — getting the paddle position, spin, and velocity without actually hitting a ball was demanding.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 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 2 Jan. 2026.
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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