# speeding

/ˈspidɪŋ/ (US) · /spˈiːdɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. driving too fast

noun · CEFR B1

the act of driving a car or other vehicle faster than the law allows.

For teachers: the offence of driving a motor vehicle faster than the legal speed limit. Uncountable in this legal sense.

- He had to pay a large fine after he was caught speeding on the motorway.
- The local council installed several new cameras to discourage speeding in residential areas where children often play near the road.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun or as the gerund form of the verb.

### 2. moving very fast

adjective · CEFR B2

moving at a very high speed.

For teachers: moving with great rapidity; often used to describe a vehicle or object in motion.

- The speeding train blurred as it passed the small station.
- Witnesses described a speeding motorcycle weaving through heavy traffic just moments before the collision occurred.

### 3. moving quickly

verb · CEFR B1

moving or travelling very fast.

For teachers: the present participle of 'speed', indicating rapid movement or progress.

- We saw several cyclists speeding down the hill during the race.
- The project is speeding toward completion thanks to the extra funding provided by the board last month.

### 4. drug influence

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

feeling very excited or energetic because of a drug called speed.

For teachers: under the influence of amphetamines. Highly informal and potentially offensive in professional contexts.

- He looked like he was speeding and couldn't stop talking all night.
- The medical staff noted that the patient appeared to be speeding upon arrival, exhibiting dilated pupils and extreme agitation.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to drug culture; learners should use it with caution as it is very informal.

## Examples

- He got a heavy fine for speeding on the highway.
- The local council installed new cameras to discourage speeding in the residential area near the primary school.
- While some argue that modern vehicle safety features mitigate the risks of high velocity, statistics consistently show that speeding remains a primary factor in the severity of road traffic accidents.

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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.