accelerator

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tor ik-ˈse-lə-ˌrā-tər How to pronounce accelerator (audio)
ak-
plural accelerators
: one that accelerates: such as
a
: a muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action
b
: a device (such as a gas pedal) for increasing the speed of a motor vehicle engine
c
: a substance that speeds a chemical reaction
d
: an apparatus for imparting high velocities to charged particles (such as electrons)
e
: an item of computer hardware that increases the speed at which a program or function operates
a graphics accelerator

Examples of accelerator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here’s what to know: • Ease off the accelerator — Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction. —Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2024 What began in 2010 as an idea backed by a seed accelerator — Silicon Valley speak for an incubator program — quickly became a juggernaut that gobbled up many of its competitors. —Nikita Richardson, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024 So far around 200 companies have taken part in 1991’s accelerator and incubator programs across 20 cohorts. —Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024 More robust initiatives are available as well: Five Walmart suppliers—Amy’s Kitchen, Levi Strauss, Great Lakes Cheese, J.M. Smucker, and Valvoline—have entered an agreement to purchase energy from a wind farm in Kansas through Gigaton PPA, Walmart’s clean energy accelerator. —Courtney Vien, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2024 The variables could be set at dynamic values ranging from zero to one, and could act as an accelerator or decelerator for various behaviors. —Patrick House, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024 Wordle was a massive accelerator and turning point for the strategy overall, said Knight. —Saira Mueller, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 In 2023, bronzing hacks like using beer as a tanning accelerator — yes, pouring beer on your skin and soaking in it — went viral, inspiring a new generation to bake their skin to a golden-brown crisp the old-fashioned way. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Mar. 2024 For one thing, the person who runs YC’s blue-chip accelerator has a significant hand in shaping the next generation of tech companies. —Steven Levy, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accelerator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

accelerate + -or entry 1

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of accelerator was in 1611

Phrases Containing accelerator

Dictionary Entries Near accelerator

accelerative

accelerator

accelerator mass spectrometry

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Accelerator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accelerator. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

accelerator

noun
ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tor ik-ˈsel-ə-ˌrāt-ər How to pronounce accelerator (audio)
ak-
1
: one that accelerates
2
: a device (as a pedal) in a motor vehicle used to control the speed of the motor
3
: a device that is used to give high velocities to charged particles (as electrons and protons)

Medical Definition

accelerator

noun
ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tor ik-ˈsel-ə-ˌrāt-ər, ak- How to pronounce accelerator (audio)
: one that accelerates: as
a
: a muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action
a cardiac accelerator
b
: a substance that speeds a chemical reaction
c
: an apparatus for imparting high velocities to charged particles (as electrons)

More from Merriam-Webster on accelerator

Nglish: Translation of accelerator for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of accelerator for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about accelerator

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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