accelerate

[ ak-sel-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ac·cel·er·at·ed, ac·cel·er·at·ing.

1. to cause faster or greater activity, development, progress, advancement, etc., in:

   to accelerate economic growth.

2. to hasten the occurrence of:

   to accelerate the fall of a government.

3. Mechanics. to change the velocity of (a body) or the rate of (motion); cause to undergo acceleration.
4. to reduce the time required for (a course of study) by intensifying the work, eliminating detail, etc.

verb (used without object)

, ac·cel·er·at·ed, ac·cel·er·at·ing.

1. to move or go faster; increase in speed.
2. to progress or develop faster.

accelerate

/ ækˈsɛləˌreɪt /

verb

1. to go, occur, or cause to go or occur more quickly; speed up
2. tr to cause to happen sooner than expected
3. tr to increase the velocity of (a body, reaction, etc); cause acceleration

Derived Forms

• acˈcelerable, adjective
• acˈcelerative, adjective

Other Words From

• ac·celer·a·ble adjective
• ac·celer·ated·ly adverb
• over·ac·celer·ate verb overaccelerated overaccelerating
• reac·celer·ate verb reaccelerated reaccelerating
• self-ac·celerating adjective
• unac·celer·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accelerate¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Latin accelerātus “sped up,” past participle of accelerāre “to speed up,” from ac- ac- + celerāre “to hasten, hurry” (from celer “swift”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of accelerate¹

C16: from Latin accelerātus, from accelerāre to go faster, from ad- (intensive) + celerāre to hasten, from celer swift

Example Sentences

This overexploitation of Brazil's green lung destroys the habitats of many species of flora and fauna and also accelerates climate change.

From Science Daily

At the same time, this plug-and-play concept can help accelerate the translation of new T-cell-based therapies from the laboratory to patient bedside.

From Science Daily

The national security journal Homeland Security Today warned that the Pine Tree Party “is quickly accelerating, recruiting, and pushing the ideological bounds to promote infrastructure damage and violence now directly.”

From Salon

In a district dogged by declining enrollment and chronic absenteeism and focused on overcoming pandemic academic setbacks, parents have viewed the accelerated programs as successful bright spots.

From Los Angeles Times

Its latest State of the Climate report also finds that our oceans are heating up rapidly and glacier melt is accelerating.

From BBC

Related Words

• advance
• expedite
• further
• hasten
• open up
• quicken
• spur
• step up
• stimulate