# acceleration

/ˌækˌsɛɫɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɐksˌɛləɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acceleration
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. increase in speed

noun · CEFR B2

the act of moving faster or the process of something speeding up.

For teachers: the act of accelerating or the state of being accelerated; a general increase in the speed of motion or action.

- The car's acceleration was so smooth that I didn't realize how fast we were going.
- The driver felt a sudden surge of acceleration as the vehicle merged onto the motorway, quickly reaching the speed of the surrounding traffic.

### 2. rate of change

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the measurement of how quickly an object's speed or direction changes.

For teachers: the rate of change of velocity with respect to time, encompassing changes in both magnitude and direction.

- In physics class, we calculated the acceleration of a ball rolling down a hill.
- The probe's acceleration was carefully monitored by ground control to ensure it entered the planet's orbit at the precise velocity required.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun in scientific contexts when referring to the concept rather than a specific value.

### 3. faster progress

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

an increase in the speed at which something happens or develops.

For teachers: the advancement or hastening of a process, trend, or course of study.

- The government promised an acceleration of the new housing project.
- Economists have noted a significant acceleration in the adoption of digital payment systems over the last fiscal quarter.

Teaching tip: In educational contexts, this specifically refers to allowing gifted students to move through the curriculum faster than their peers.

## Examples

- The new sports car has amazing acceleration.
- The sudden acceleration of the train caught the standing passengers off guard, causing several to stumble.
- Economists noted a sharp acceleration in inflation during the third quarter, driven primarily by supply chain disruptions and surging energy costs.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.