Definition of ACCELERATION

acceleration

Plural: accelerations

Noun

  • an increase in rate of change
    • "modern science caused an acceleration of cultural change"
  • the act of accelerating; increasing the speed
  • (physics) a rate of increase of velocity
  • The act of accelerating, or the state of being accelerated; increase of motion or action; as opposed to retardation or deceleration.
  • The amount by which a speed or velocity increases (and so a scalar quantity or a vector quantity).
  • The change of velocity with respect to time (can include deceleration or changing direction).
  • The advancement of students at a rate that places them ahead of where they would be in the regular school curriculum.

Examples

  • A falling body moves toward the earth with an acceleration of velocity.
  • The boosters produce an acceleration of 20 metres per second per second.

Origin / Etymology

First attested in 1531. From French accélération or more likely directly from Latin accelerātiō (“a hastening, acceleration”). Equivalent to accelerate + -ion.

Synonyms

quickening, speedup

Scrabble Score: 16

acceleration: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
acceleration: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
acceleration: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

acceleration: valid Words With Friends Word