decelerate

[ dee-sel-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·cel·er·at·ed, de·cel·er·at·ing.

1. to decrease the velocity of:

   He decelerates the bobsled when he nears a curve.

2. to slow the rate of increase of:

   efforts to decelerate inflation.

verb (used without object)

, de·cel·er·at·ed, de·cel·er·at·ing.

1. to slow down:

   The plane decelerated just before landing.

decelerate

/ diːˈsɛləˌreɪt /

verb

1. to slow down or cause to slow down

Derived Forms

• deˈcelerˌator, noun
• deˌcelerˈation, noun

Other Words From

• de·cel·er·a·tion [dee-sel-, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• de·cel·er·a·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decelerate¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; de- + (ac)celerate

Word History and Origins

Origin of decelerate¹

C19: from de- + accelerate

Example Sentences

The International Monetary Fund predicts growth would decelerate worldwide.

From Los Angeles Times

The rate of land movement decelerated as much as 80% as of early October compared with the month prior at several monitoring sites, the report said.

From Los Angeles Times

For the first time in months, that area saw movement decelerating, although the worst spots still were shifting 11 inches per week in August.

From Los Angeles Times

Mike Phipps, the city’s contracted geologist, said that overall movement had started to naturally decelerate in August for the first time in months, probably because there hadn’t been rain in the last five months.

From Los Angeles Times

For the first time in months, recent measurements from across the landslide area — from July 1 to Aug. 1 — showed the overall rate of land movement had decelerated, by about 1%.

From Los Angeles Times