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

Proof of concept was demonstrated in 2021 by Finnish government researchers, who are now trying to help accelerate commercialisation.

From BBC

The funding will help grow the company’s 24-member staff and accelerate its product development, Rivenson said.

From Los Angeles Times

Negotiations have dragged on for a year and a half, but could accelerate under a Trump administration.

From Los Angeles Times

They should accelerate the adjustment period, which is desirable when the free-agent market is about to begin.

From Los Angeles Times

Padilla supported the passage of AB 1494 and said he was “sympathetic to efforts to accelerate the use of this new form of political expression,” observing that “across the country, ‘ballot selfies’ posted on social media have become a new form of political expression used to showcase one’s civic pride and participation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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