verb (used with object), ac·cel·er·at·ed, ac·cel·er·at·ing.
- to cause faster or greater activity, development, progress, advancement, etc., in: to accelerate economic growth.
- to hasten the occurrence of: to accelerate the fall of a government.
- Mechanics. to change the velocity of (a body) or the rate of (motion); cause to undergo acceleration.
- to reduce the time required for (a course of study) by intensifying the work, eliminating detail, etc.
verb (used without object), ac·cel·er·at·ed, ac·cel·er·at·ing.
- to move or go faster; increase in speed.
- to progress or develop faster.
verb
- to go, occur, or cause to go or occur more quickly; speed up
- (tr) to cause to happen sooner than expected
- (tr) to increase the velocity of (a body, reaction, etc); cause acceleration
1520s, from Latin acceleratus, past participle of accelerare “to hasten, to quicken,” from ad- “to” (see ad-) + celerare “hasten,” from celer “swift” (see celerity). Related: Accelerated; accelerating.