velocity
vuh-LOSS-uh-tee
/vəˈlɒsəti/
The speed of something in a given direction.
More technical than 'speed'; it implies both rate and direction.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'velox', meaning swift. While 'speed' is Germanic in origin, 'velocity' entered English via French in the 15th century to provide a more precise, scholarly term for motion.
Word relationships
- speed: Speed is a scalar (just magnitude); velocity is a vector (magnitude and direction).
Commonly confused with
- celerity: Velocity is technical and physical; celerity is literary and often refers to human speed.
Collocations
- terminal velocity
- high velocity
- wind velocity
Example sentences
- "The rocket reached escape velocity and broke free from the Earth's gravity." Physics.
- "We need to increase the velocity of our sales cycle to meet the quarterly targets." Business metaphor.
Memory hook
Velocity starts with 'V'—think of a 'Vector' (speed + direction). Velocity = Vector speed.
When not to use
Avoid in casual conversation unless you want to sound very scientific; use 'speed' instead.
Fun facts
- The fastest velocity possible in the universe is the speed of light.
Related words
Explore more words
Also appears in
- Technology → Physics & Mechanics
- Engineering & Industrial Design → Mechanical Systems & Kinematics
- Engineering & Industrial Design → Aerospace & Aeronautics
- Engineering & Industrial Design → Fluid Dynamics & Hydraulics
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Track & Field Athletics
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Winter & Ice Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Motor & Racing Sports
- Physical Sciences & Cosmology → Classical Mechanics & Motion
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