accelerate

[ak-sel-uh-reyt]

verb (used with object)

accelerated, accelerating 

1. to cause faster or greater activity, development, progress, advancement, etc., in.

   to accelerate economic growth.

2. to hasten the occurrence of.

   to accelerate the fall of a government.

3. Mechanics.,  to change the velocity of (a body) or the rate of (motion); cause to undergo acceleration.

4. to reduce the time required for (a course of study) by intensifying the work, eliminating detail, etc.

verb (used without object)

accelerated, accelerating 

1. to move or go faster; increase in speed.

2. to progress or develop faster.

accelerate

/ ækˈsɛləˌreɪt /

verb

1. to go, occur, or cause to go or occur more quickly; speed up

2. (tr) to cause to happen sooner than expected

3. (tr) to increase the velocity of (a body, reaction, etc); cause acceleration

Other Word Forms

• accelerable adjective
• accelerative adjective
• acceleratedly adverb
• overaccelerate verb
• reaccelerate verb
• self-accelerating adjective
• unaccelerated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accelerate¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Latin accelerātus “sped up,” past participle of accelerāre “to speed up,” from ac- ac- + celerāre “to hasten, hurry” (from celer “swift”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of accelerate¹

C16: from Latin accelerātus, from accelerāre to go faster, from ad- (intensive) + celerāre to hasten, from celer swift

Example Sentences

Growing electricity grid capacity fast enough to meet accelerating demand.

From BBC

Over the last decade, groundwater losses have accelerated across the Colorado River Basin.

From Los Angeles Times

The movement, he said, has accelerated over the last decade, with some sections of the road now moving several feet a year toward the sea.

From Los Angeles Times

The pace of change has only accelerated in the year since he concluded that Google is a monopolist in online search.

From BBC

Exploring new fields would "not take a penny off bills" or improve energy security and would "only accelerate the worsening climate crisis", the government spokesperson warned.

From BBC

Related Words

• advance 
• expedite 
• further 
• hasten 
• open up 
• quicken 
• spur 
• step up 
• stimulate