# RPM

/ˈɑɹˈpiˈɛm/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rpm
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. rotational speed

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

Stands for revolutions per minute. It measures how many times a wheel or engine part turns in one minute.

For teachers: Abbreviation for revolutions per minute. A measure of the frequency of rotation, specifically the number of full rotations completed in one minute around a fixed axis.

- The car's engine was running at a high RPM as he accelerated onto the highway.
- The technician monitored the turbine's RPM closely, ensuring the rotational speed did not exceed the safety threshold during the stress test.

Usage: Usually treated as a plural noun or a unit of measurement; often used without an 's' even when referring to multiple revolutions.

Teaching tip: In everyday conversation, people often say 'revs' instead of RPM when talking about car engines.

### 2. software package manager

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

A system used on some computers to install, update, or remove software programs.

For teachers: Abbreviation for RPM Package Manager. A recursive acronym for a program used to manage software installation on Linux-based operating systems.

- You can use an RPM to install the new database software on your Linux server.
- The administrator distributed the security patch as an RPM file to ensure consistent installation across all workstations in the network.

Usage: Can refer to the management system itself or the specific file format (.rpm).

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialized term used almost exclusively by IT professionals and Linux users.

## Examples

- The car engine reached 3,000 RPM on the highway.
- Hard drives with a higher RPM can usually read and write data much faster than slower models.
- The technician monitored the cooling fan's RPM to ensure the server remained within safe temperature limits during the stress test.

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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.