rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryvelocitySpeed of movement or change
noun

velocity

vuh-LAH-suh-tee/vəˈlɑːsəti/

The rate at which something moves or changes, often taking direction into account.

The ball's velocity is marked as eight meters per second to the right.

A rolling ball with a single rightward velocity vector marked “8 m/s,” combining a measured speed with an unambiguous direction.
Etymology
velocLatinswift, speedy
+ityLatinquality or state

The pieces express the quality of being swift. The word first meant speed or quickness generally, before acquiring the more precise physical meaning of speed in a particular direction.

In context

The Organic Chemistry Tutor20:30
speed is a scalar quantity it has magnitude only and no direction velocity is a vector quantity it has both magnitude and direction so velocity is basically speed with direction
Distance, Displacement, Average Speed, Average Velocity - Physics

More examples

  • Its velocity changed when it turned.
  • The graph compares two velocities.
  • The instrument measures velocity rather than position.

Forms

velocity · velocities

Similar words

speed
Speed gives magnitude without direction in physics.
pace
Pace often describes a practical rate rather than a measured vector.