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

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

The pressure of the thrusters' plume ought to decelerate the rotation rate.

From BBC

Economists had been expected it to decelerate but only to 2.4%.

From BBC

The poultry industry is evolving toward antibiotic-free production to meet market demands and decelerate the spread, and Penn State researchers are helping to identify and better understand alternative approaches.

From Science Daily