What does speed mean?
Speed describes how quickly something moves, operates, or is completed. It is commonly used for physical motion, as in the speed of a car or runner, but it also applies more broadly to the pace of work, speech, change, or communication. In its verbal form, “speed” means to move quickly or to make an activity happen more quickly, often in the phrase “speed up.” The word can imply efficiency and progress, especially when used in technical or organizational contexts, but it may also suggest haste, pressure, or excessive pace. Speed is related to velocity, although speed is the more general everyday term. Although its modern senses are strongly associated with rapid movement, the word originally referred to success, prosperity, and advancement. That history gives “speed” both a practical meaning and an intriguing reminder that progress and rapidity are not always the same thing.
The rate at which something moves, operates, or is done; rapidity or swiftness of movement or action.
"The boat reached high speed within seconds."
The noun is also used in technical contexts for physical velocity and in expressions referring to the pace of an activity.
To move or operate quickly, or to cause something to happen more quickly.
"The engineers worked to speed up the approval process."
The transitive form is especially common with “up”: “speed up production.”
The plural “speeds” is used for different rates of movement or operation, as in “the car reached several speeds.”
"The train can travel at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour."
Before it meant how fast something goes, “speed” meant success and prosperity—an unexpectedly positive history for a word associated with haste.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does speed come from?
The word comes from Old English spēd, which could mean success, prosperity, wealth, happiness, or quickness; its modern sense of rapid movement developed from the older idea of swiftness and advancement. It is inherited from Proto-Germanic *spēdiz and is generally traced to a Proto-Indo-European root associated with stretching or striving. Related forms include words such as expedite, while the modern derivatives speedy and speedily developed directly from the English noun and verb.
Related word forms
How speed is actually used
In general use, “speed” is neutral and can refer to physical movement, performance, or the pace of an activity. “Speed up” is common in speech and informal writing; in more formal contexts, “accelerate” may sound more technical. The older sense meaning success or prosperity is now chiefly historical or literary.
Easily confused with speed
“Sped” is the past tense and past participle of “speed,” as in “the car sped through the intersection,” while “speed” names the rate of movement or action.