tacho-

1. a combining form meaning “speed,” used in the formation of compound words:

   tachometer.

tacho-

combining_form

1. speed

   tachograph

   tachometer

Word History and Origins

Origin of tacho-¹

Combining form representing Greek táchos; akin to tachýs swift

Word History and Origins

Origin of tacho-¹

from Greek takhos

Example Sentences

Tacho lived a considerable time at the court of Ochus, without any steps being taken to restore him to his former position.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use tacho-

What does tacho- mean?

Tacho- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “speed.” It is especially used in scientific terms.

Tacho- comes from the Greek táchos, meaning “speed.”

Related to tacho- is tacheo-, as in tacheometry, and tachy-, as in tachygraph.

Want to know more? Read our articles Words That Use tacheo- and Words That Use tachy-.

Examples of tacho-

An example of a scientific term that features the combining form tacho- is tachometer, a term for a variety of instruments that measure velocity or speed, such as how fast an engine goes.

The word tachometer is made of two combining forms. The first is tacho- which, as we know, means “speed.” The second is -meter which means “measure.” Tachometer translates literally to “speed-measurer.”

What are some words that use the combining form tacho-?

• tachogram
• tachograph
• tachometry

What are some other forms that tacho- may be commonly confused with?

• techno-

And of course, tacho- has nothing to do with tacos or nachos, speedily as we may love to eat them.

Break it down!

The combining form -gram means “something written; drawing.” What, in general, is a tachogram a record of?