acceleration

[ak-sel-uh-rey-shuh n] /ækˌsɛl əˈreɪ ʃən/
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.
Origin
1525-35; < Latin accelerātiōn- (stem of accelerātiō). See accelerate, -ion
Related forms
nonacceleration, noun
overacceleration, noun
reacceleration, noun
Examples from the web for acceleration
  • With the added weight of people and supplies, it would simply take too long for the craft to reach acceleration speed.
  • Observe the speed limit and avoid rapid acceleration or braking.
  • Inertia sensors are faster, but less accurate, providing only acceleration and rotation speed.
  • For heavy acceleration and high speed, these vehicles rely on power from both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.
  • Units fell 13.3% in 2010, a steep acceleration after units declined 3.7% in 2009.
  • Technology both caters to and fosters our acceleration.
  • There's an acceleration of e-books into the library market.
  • The increased velocity is attributed to acceleration caused by magnetic waves spiraling from the sun.
  • In a best-case scenario, these efforts will also stop the acceleration of global warming.
  • We know that the acceleration of a falling body is the constant g.
British Dictionary definitions for acceleration

acceleration

/ækˌsɛləˈreɪʃən/
noun
1.
the act of accelerating or the state of being accelerated
2.
the rate of increase of speed or the rate of change of velocity a
3.
the power to accelerate a
Word Origin and History for acceleration
n.

1530s, from Latin accelerationem (nominative acceleratio) "a hastening," noun of action from past participle stem of accelerare (see accelerate).

acceleration in Science
acceleration
(āk-sěl'ə-rā'shən)
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. See more at gravity, relativity.

acceleration in Culture

acceleration definition


A change in the velocity of an object.

Note: 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.)