# speed

/ˈspid/ (US) · /spˈiːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/speed
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. rate of motion

noun · CEFR A2

how fast something or someone moves.

For teachers: the rate at which someone or something moves or operates; the magnitude of velocity.

- The car was travelling at a high speed when it turned the corner.
- The aircraft reached its cruising speed shortly after leveling off at thirty thousand feet.

### 2. illegal drug

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

a slang name for a drug that makes you feel very excited and awake.

For teachers: an amphetamine-based stimulant drug, typically used illegally to increase alertness or energy.

- He was arrested for possession of speed and other illegal substances.
- The long-term health effects of speed abuse include severe cardiovascular strain and neurological damage.

### 3. camera settings

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

how sensitive a camera is to light, or how fast the shutter closes.

For teachers: the sensitivity of a photographic sensor to light, or the duration of a shutter exposure.

- You need a fast shutter speed to take clear photos of sports.
- Adjusting the ISO speed allows the photographer to capture images in low-light conditions without using a flash.

### 4. to move fast

verb · CEFR A2

to move very quickly from one place to another.

For teachers: to move or travel at high velocity.

- The ambulance had to speed through traffic to reach the hospital.
- The cyclists began to speed down the mountain road, reaching dangerous velocities on the sharp turns.

### 5. to break the limit

verb · CEFR B1

to drive a car faster than the legal limit.

For teachers: to drive a motor vehicle faster than the legally prescribed limit.

- He got a ticket because he was speeding in a school zone.
- The driver was pulled over for speeding on the motorway, exceeding the limit by twenty miles per hour.

### 6. to accelerate a process

verb · CEFR B1

to make something happen faster than usual.

For teachers: to increase the rate at which a process or event occurs; often used with 'up'.

- We need to speed up the hiring process to find a new manager.
- The new software was designed to speed up the data entry process, reducing the workload for the administrative staff.

Usage: Often used as the phrasal verb 'speed up'.

### 7. recording ready

interjection · CEFR C2 · Technical

a word used by film crews to say the equipment is ready to record.

For teachers: a signal used in film production to indicate that recording equipment has reached the required operating speed.

- The sound engineer shouted 'speed' and the director called for action.
- Once the technician confirmed speed, the camera operator began the complex tracking shot through the crowded set.

## Examples

- The car travels at a high speed.
- The new internet connection has a much faster download speed than our old one.
- Pilots must constantly adjust their airspeed to account for changes in altitude and wind speed, ensuring a safe and efficient flight.

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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.