- [countable, uncountable] the rate at which somebody/something moves or travels
- at … speed at high/low/full/top speed
- The five-door version has a maximum speed of 130 mph.
- a fast/slow speed
- London traffic moves at an average speed of 11 mph.
- speed of something travelling at the speed of light/sound
- a speed of 50 mph/80 kph
- The missile reaches speeds of 5 800 kilometres per hour.
- The train began to pick up speed (= go faster).
- at breakneck speed (= fast in a way that is dangerous)
- an attempt to break the land speed record
- It is best not to spray when wind speeds are greater than 5 miles per hour.
- The car was gathering speed.
- He reduced speed and turned sharp left.
- There are speed restrictions on this road.
- Increasing your walking speed will help to exercise your heart.
Extra Examples- Concorde crossed the Atlantic at twice the speed of sound.
- He drove us to the hospital at breakneck speed.
- He set a new land speed record in this car.
- He was running at full speed when a tendon snapped in his leg.
- He was traveling at a high rate of speed.
- Hedgehogs, though small, can move with surprising speed.
- Motorists are asked to reduce their speed in wet conditions.
- Radio waves travel at the speed of light.
- The boat can be brought to a stop from full speed ahead within her own length.
- The boat maintained a steady speed while the sea was calm.
- The car reaches a speed of 60 miles per hour within five seconds.
- The glacier moves at an average speed of about six feet per day.
- The ships have a maximum speed of 18 knots.
- The train pulled out of the station, slowly gathering speed.
- a significant increase in speed
- at lightning speed
- jets flying at supersonic speed
- measures to curb the speed of cars travelling through the village
- He came down the hill at breakneck speed.
- She reduced speed before turning the corner.
- We travelled at an average speed of about 80 kph.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- amazing
- astonishing
- breakneck
- …
- burst
- rate
- attain
- reach
- build up
- …
- increase
- decrease
- control
- reduction
- restriction
- …
- at speed
- in speed
- with speed
- …
- at full speed
- full speed
- full speed ahead
- …
Definitions on the go
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- [countable, uncountable] the rate at which something happens or is done
- the processing speed of the computer
- at a speed This course is designed so that students can progress at their own speed.
- speed of something We aim to increase the speed of delivery (= how quickly goods are sent).
- broadband that runs at speeds in excess of 40 megabits per second
Extra Examples- the increase in processor speeds for home computers
- We offer subscribers a download speed of 8 MB.
- The machinery is regulated to a safe running speed.
- The new houses have been built with astonishing speed.
- The classes are designed to let students progress at their own speed.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- amazing
- astonishing
- breakneck
- …
- burst
- rate
- attain
- reach
- build up
- …
- increase
- decrease
- control
- reduction
- restriction
- …
- at speed
- in speed
- with speed
- …
- at full speed
- full speed
- full speed ahead
- …
- [uncountable] the quality of being quick or rapid
- The Kenyan runner put on a sudden burst of speed over the last 50 metres.
- She was overtaken by the speed of events (= things happened more quickly than she expected).
- at speed (formal) A car flashed past them at speed (= fast).
- If a footballer lacks speed, he has no chance at the top level.
- The accident was due to excessive speed.
- Speed is his greatest asset as a tennis player.
Extra Examples- 90% of car accidents involve excess speed.
- The Greek runner produced an electrifying burst of speed over the last 50 metres.
- The car was moving at speed when the accident happened.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- amazing
- astonishing
- breakneck
- …
- burst
- rate
- attain
- reach
- build up
- …
- increase
- decrease
- control
- reduction
- restriction
- …
- at speed
- in speed
- with speed
- …
- at full speed
- full speed
- full speed ahead
- …
- [countable] a measurement of how sensitive film for cameras, etc. is to light
- (also shutter speed)[countable] the time taken by a camera shutter to open and close
- [countable] (especially in compounds) a gear on a bicycle, in a car, etc.
- a four-speed gearbox
- a ten-speed mountain bike
- [uncountable] (informal) an illegal amphetamine drug that is taken to give feelings of excitement and energyTopics Social issuesc2
rate of movement/action
in photography
on bicycle/car
drug
Word OriginOld English spēd (noun), spēdan (verb), from the Germanic base of Old English spōwan ‘prosper, succeed’, a sense reflected in early usage.
Idioms
See speed in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee speed in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishfull speed/steam ahead
- with as much speed or energy as possible
- We as a company are moving full speed ahead.
more haste, less speed
- (British English, saying) you will finish doing something sooner if you do not try to do it too quickly because you will make fewer mistakes
a turn of speed
- a sudden increase in your speed or rate of progress; the ability to suddenly increase your speed
- He put on an impressive turn of speed in the last lap.
- The kangaroo has a fast turn of speed.
- For a small car it has a good turn of speed.
up to speed (on something)
- (of a person, company, etc.) performing at an expected rate or level
- the cost of bringing the chosen schools up to speed
- (of a person) having the most recent and accurate information or knowledge
- Are you up to speed yet on the latest developments?
Check pronunciation:
speed