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 fastball command that Niebla described as his superpower has accompanied the gains in velocity.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
More concerning than the erratic command was the drop in velocity.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
These particles come in with a broad range of velocities, which in turn gives them a broad range of kinetic energy, the energy of motion.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026
Her exit velocity is probably up 7 to 8 miles an hour this year from last year.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for velocity
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Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
More concerning than the erratic command was the drop in velocity.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
These particles come in with a broad range of velocities, which in turn gives them a broad range of kinetic energy, the energy of motion.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026
Her exit velocity is probably up 7 to 8 miles an hour this year from last year.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for velocity
Cite this Entry
“Velocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/velocity. Accessed 5 Apr. 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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