speed

Universal Words noun, verb noun rate of movement / action 1 [C,U] the rate at which sb/sth moves or travels: He reduced speed and turned sharp left. * The train began to pick up speed (= go faster). * The car was gathering speed. * a speed of 50 mph / 80 kph * at high / low / full / top speed * at breakneck speed (= dangerously fast) * travelling at the speed of light / sound * There are speed restrictions on this road. * Increasing your walking speed will help to exercise your heart. 2 [C,U] the rate at which sth happens or is done: the processing speed of the computer * This course is designed so that students can progress at their own speed. * We aim to increase the speed of delivery (= how quickly goods are sent). 3 [U] the quality of being quick or rapid: The accident was due to excessive speed. * Speed is his greatest asset as a tennis player. * She was overtaken by the speed of events (= things happened more quickly than she expected). * (formal) A car flashed past them at speed (= fast). in photography 4 [C] a measurement of how sensitive photographic film is to light 5 [C] the time taken by a camera SHUTTER to open and close: Higher shutter speeds are best used only in good light. on bicycle / car 6 [C] (especially in compounds) a GEAR on a bicycle, in a car, etc: a four-speed gearbox * a ten-speed mountain bike drug 7 [U] (informal) an illegal AMPHETAMINE drug that is taken to give feelings of excitement and energy IDIOMS be up to speed (on sth) 1 (of a person, company, etc.) performing at an expected rate or level: the cost of bringing the chosen schools up to speed 2 (of a person) having the most recent and accurate information or knowledge: I'll bring you up to speed on the latest developments. full speed / steam ahead with as much speed or energy as possible moreatHASTE, TURNn. verb (speeded, speeded) HELPNOTE In senses 1 and 2 sped is also used for the past tense and past participle.( move / happen quickly 1 [V+adv./prep.] )written( to move along quickly: The car sped along the road towards the village. * He sped away on his bike. * They sped off to get help. 2 [VN+adv./prep.] )written( to take sb/sth somewhere very quickly, especially in a vehicle: The cab speeded them into the centre of the city. 3 [VN] )written( to make sth happen more quickly: The drugs will speed her recovery. drive too fast 4 [V] )usually used in the progressive tenses( to drive faster than the speed that is legally allowed: The police caught him speeding. PHRASALVERBS speed up