fast-forward

1 of 2

noun

fast-for·​ward ˌfas(t)-ˈfȯr-wərd How to pronounce fast-forward (audio)
often attributive
1
: a function of an electronic device that advances a recording at a higher than normal speed
2
: a state or an instance of rapid advancement
put her career in fast-forward

fast-forward

2 of 2

verb

fast-forwarded; fast-forwarding; fast-forwards

transitive verb

1
: to advance (a magnetic tape) using the fast-forward of a tape player
2
: to bypass (something, such as a commercial) by fast-forwarding

intransitive verb

1
: to advance a magnetic tape using the fast-forward
2
: to proceed rapidly forward especially in time
fast-forward to the future

Examples of fast-forward in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Now, set your time machine on fast-forward, to the mission era, the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 But fast-forward to today, where leaders face a host of non-academic challenges—from disruptive technology to geopolitics to head-spinning budget processes—and the perception of university presidents has evolved dramatically. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 16 Feb. 2024 But fast-forward nearly a decade: Californians are tossing more pounds of plastic bags than before the legislation was passed. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024 The action will then fast-forward to the flop, with the entire table entered with whatever hole cards they were dealt. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2024 The trailer fast-forwards to an upset Savage sitting at an interrogation before rapping and reminiscing about his youth: from being in class to breaking into homes to being jumped by his classmates. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2024 Now fast-forward to the game’s final minute, and people holding certain betting tickets were sweating. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2024 Each season, For All Mankind fast-forwards into the future, hurling its characters into the next decade. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2023 The wedding, in my memory, is a fuzzy home movie on fast-forward. Joan Niesen, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023
Verb
The Spurs flipped to the Hawks – then considered a burgeoning playoff team – for a slew of future draft picks that could fast-forward their reconstruction project. Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 18 Mar. 2023 Let’s fast-forward to Kerry Condon’s look at this year’s Golden Globes. Monica Corcoran Harel, Variety, 8 Mar. 2023 Preparation was very minimal compared to … fast-forward ten years to Madonna. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2023 Hitting Pause on High-End Over the next decade, cassette sales were on fast-forward — but the format struggled to attract audiophiles, who stuck with vinyl. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2023 Meanwhile, Georgia will not be holding an early primary, despite the DNC’s fast-forward schedule. Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Feb. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1965, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fast-forward was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near fast-forward

Cite this Entry

“Fast-forward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast-forward. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fast-forward

1 of 2 noun
fast-for·​ward
ˌfast-ˈfȯr-wərd
1
: a function of an electronic device that advances a recording at a higher than normal speed
2
: a state of rapid advancement

fast-forward

2 of 2 verb
1
: to advance (a tape) at a high speed
2
: to advance rapidly especially in time
fast-forward to the future

More from Merriam-Webster on fast-forward

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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