acceleration

[ak-sel-uh-rey-shuhn, ik-]

noun

1. the act of accelerating; increase of speed or velocity.

2. a change in velocity.

3. Mechanics.,  the time rate of change of velocity with respect to magnitude or direction; the derivative of velocity with respect to time.

acceleration

/ ækˌsɛləˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of accelerating or the state of being accelerated

2. a. the rate of increase of speed or the rate of change of velocity

3. a. the power to accelerate

acceleration

1. The rate of change of the velocity of a moving body. An increase in the magnitude of the velocity of a moving body (an increase in speed) is called a positive acceleration; a decrease in speed is called a negative acceleration. Acceleration, like velocity, is a vector quantity, so any change in the direction of a moving body is also an acceleration. A moving body that follows a curved path, even when its speed remains constant, is undergoing acceleration.

2. See more at gravity relativity

acceleration

1. A change in the velocity of an object.

The most familiar kind of acceleration is a change in the speed of an object. An object that stays at the same speed but changes direction, however, is also being accelerated. (See force.)

Other Word Forms

• nonacceleration noun
• overacceleration noun
• reacceleration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of acceleration¹

First recorded in 1525–35, acceleration is from the Latin word accelerātiōn- (stem of accelerātiō ). See accelerate, -ion

Example Sentences

At Level 2, the driver is fully responsible for controlling the vehicle while receiving continuous automated assistance in steering, acceleration and braking.

From Los Angeles Times

As well as doctors assessing collisions on the touchlines with the help of video replays, players wear 'smart' mouthguards that register the size of impact via the acceleration of the head.

From BBC

"But it's exciting - it's got everyone talking about it. It's a real acceleration of Keith's career, but I know him well and I can understand why he has got this opportunity."

From BBC

He also worries that the emergence of cultivated food is an acceleration of a long-term trend away from environmentally sustainable, locally sourced, whole foods and toward factory mass-produced fare.

From BBC

Other nearby landslides, including Abalone Cove and Klondike Canyon, also saw dramatic acceleration last year, but those areas are not a part of the long-term stabilization plan.

From Los Angeles Times