Accelerate Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of ACCELERATE

1

:

to move faster

:

to gain speed

[no object]

• She stepped on the gas and the car accelerated.
• The plane accelerated down the runway.

[+ object]

• She stepped on the gas and accelerated the car.

— opposite decelerate

2

:

to cause (something) to happen sooner or more quickly

[+ object]

• He says that cutting taxes will help to accelerate economic growth.
• Conditions accelerated our departure. [=conditions caused us to depart sooner]

[no object]

• The rate of economic growth has continued to accelerate.

• Changes have occurred at an accelerated pace/rate.

• She's taking an accelerated course in English. [=a course in which English is taught at a faster pace than usual]

• an accelerating rate