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noun
1.
rapidity in moving, going, traveling, proceeding, or performing; swiftness; celerity:
the speed of light; the speed of sound.
2.
relative rapidity in moving, going, etc.; rate of motion or progress:
full speed ahead.
3.
full, maximum, or optimum rate of motion:
The car gets to speed in just nine seconds.
4.
Automotive. a transmission gear ratio.
5.
Photography.

Also called film speed. the sensitivity of a film or paper to light, measured by an ASA or DIN index, which assigns low numbers to slow film and higher numbers to faster film.
Also called shutter speed. the length of time a shutter is opened to expose film.
the largest opening at which a lens can be used.

6.
Slang. a stimulating drug, as caffeine, ephedrine, or especially methamphetamine or amphetamine.
7.
Informal. a person or thing that is compatible with or typical of one’s ability, personality, desires, etc.:
My speed is writing postcards on the porch while everyone else is tearing around the tennis court.
8.
Archaic. success or prosperity.
verb (used with object), sped or speeded, speeding.
9.
to promote the success of (an affair, undertaking, etc.); further, forward, or expedite.
10.
to direct (the steps, course, way, etc.) with speed.
11.
to increase the rate of speed of (usually followed by up):
to speed up industrial production.
12.
to bring to a particular speed, as a machine.
13.
to cause to move, go, or proceed with speed.
14.
to expedite the going of:
to speed the parting guest.
15.
Archaic. to cause to succeed or prosper.
verb (used without object), sped or speeded, speeding.
16.
to move, go, pass, or proceed with speed or rapidity.
17.
to drive a vehicle at a rate that exceeds the legally established maximum:
He was arrested for speeding.
18.
to increase the rate of speed or progress (usually followed by up).
19.
to get on or fare in a specified or particular manner.
20.
Archaic. to succeed or prosper.
Idioms
21.
at full / top speed,

at the greatest speed possible:
We drove down the highway at full speed.
to the maximum of one’s capabilities; with great rapidity:
He worked at full speed.

22.
up to speed,

operating at full or optimum speed.
functioning or producing at an expected, acceptable, or competitive level; up to par:
a new firm not yet up to speed.

noun
1.
the act or quality of acting or moving fast; rapidity
2.
the rate at which something moves, is done, or acts
3.
(physics) a scalar measure of the rate of movement of a body expressed either as the distance travelled divided by the time taken (average speed) or the rate of change of position with respect to time at a particular point (instantaneous speed). It is measured in metres per second, miles per hour, etc
4.
a rate of rotation, usually expressed in revolutions per unit time
5.

a gear ratio in a motor vehicle, bicycle, etc
(in combination): a three-speed gear

6.
(photog) a numerical expression of the sensitivity to light of a particular type of film, paper, or plate See also ISO rating
7.
(photog) a measure of the ability of a lens to pass light from an object to the image position, determined by the aperture and also the transmitting power of the lens. It increases as the f-number is decreased and vice versa
8.
a slang word for amphetamine
9.
(archaic) prosperity or success
10.
at speed, quickly
11.
up to speed

operating at an acceptable or competitive level
in possession of all the relevant or necessary information

verb speeds, speeding, sped, speeded
12.
to move or go or cause to move or go quickly
13.
(intransitive) to drive (a motor vehicle) at a high speed, esp above legal limits
14.
(transitive) to help further the success or completion of
15.
(intransitive) (slang) to take or be under the influence of amphetamines
16.
(intransitive) to operate or run at a high speed
17.
(archaic)

(intransitive) to prosper or succeed
(transitive) to wish success to

speed
(spēd)
The ratio of the distance traveled by an object (regardless of its direction) to the time required to travel that distance. Compare velocity.
speed

Early system on LGP-30. Listed in CACM 2(5):16 (May 1959).