pace

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: rate of movement
the runner's pace
especially : an established rate of locomotion
b
: rate of progress
specifically : parallel rate of growth or development
supplies kept pace with demand
c
: an example to be emulated
specifically : first place in a competition
three strokes off the pace Time
d(1)
: rate of performance or delivery : tempo
a steady pace
on pace to set a record
especially : speed
serves with great pace
a pace bowler in cricket
(2)
: rhythmic animation : fluency
writes with color, with zest, and with paceAmy Loveman
2
: a manner of walking : tread
… walked slowly, with even, unhesitating paceWilla Cather
3
b
: any of various units of distance based on the length of a human step
4
a
paces plural : an exhibition or test of skills or capacities
the trainer put the tiger through its paces
b
: gait
especially : a fast 2-beat gait (as of the horse) in which the legs move in lateral pairs and support the animal alternately on the right and left legs

pace

2 of 3

verb

paced; pacing

intransitive verb

1
a
: to walk with often slow or measured tread
b
: to move along : proceed
2
: to go at a pace
used especially of a horse

transitive verb

1
a
: to measure by pacing
often used with off
paced off a 10-yard penalty
b
: to cover at a walk
could hear him pacing the floor
2
: to cover (a course) by pacing
used of a horse
3
a
: to set or regulate the pace of
taught them how to pace their solos for … impactRichard Goldstein
also : to establish a moderate or steady pace for (oneself)
b(1)
: to go before : precede
(2)
: to set an example for : lead
c
: to keep pace with

pace

3 of 3

preposition

pa·​ce ˈpā-(ˌ)sē How to pronounce pace (audio)
ˈpä-(ˌ)chā,
-(ˌ)kā How to pronounce pace (audio)
: contrary to the opinion of
usually used as an expression of deference to someone's contrary opinion
Easiness is a virtue in grammar, pace old-fashioned grammarians …Philip Howard
usually italics

Did you know?

Though used in English since the 19th century, the preposition pace has yet to shed its Latin mantle, and for that reason it's most at home in formal writing or in contexts in which one is playing at formality. The Latin word pace is a form of pax, meaning "peace" or "permission," and when used sincerely the word does indeed suggest a desire for both. This Latin borrowing is unrelated to the more common noun pace (as in "keeping pace") and its related verb ("pacing the room"); these also come from Latin, but from the word pandere, meaning "to spread."

Examples of pace in a Sentence

Noun We walked at a leisurely pace along the shore. The pace of the story was slow. His new album is selling at a blistering pace. Verb When she gets nervous she paces back and forth. He was pacing and muttering to himself. She paced the other runners for the first half of the race. Advertisements are paced so that they are shown more often during peak sales seasons.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Joyce said in his statement that the institute is on pace to raise $750 million by the time its current seven-year fundraising campaign ends in June 2026. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024 The pace at which votes come in for both parties also changes based on when a state is allowed to begin counting its mail-in ballots. Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Butler is on pace to finish this regular season with 66 makes on 144 three-point attempts. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2024 The economy is growing at a shockingly strong pace. Matt Egan, CNN, 2 Mar. 2024 Deaths were recorded at a similar pace through the first six months of 2023. Jeff McMurray, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2024 Later Given the pace with which AI is transforming industries, companies that adopt a wait-and-see approach will be left behind. Toni Handler, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Harkers island is served by a post office, a few restaurants, and a grocery store, but is primarily known for slowing life down to a pace that's nice and easy. Tracey Minkin, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2024 Once a sleepy fishing village, Rockport is growing, but still lures in anglers, artists, families, and nature lovers who like the slower pace. Pam Leblanc, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
Neurotic and self-deprecating, typically dressed all in black, Mr. Lewis paced the stages of comedy clubs, hanging his head, pulling at his shock of black hair, riffing on his struggles in life and love. Clay Risen, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Aaron Gordon, known more for his defense and secondary scoring, paced the Nuggets with 25 points. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024 Lewis paced nervously during his stand-up act, running his fingers through his hair and waving his arms with exasperation. Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2024 Whether pacing your study, focusing on MCQs, or integrating study into your daily routine, the key is to stay disciplined, avoid burnout, and remember that understanding the material is more crucial than memorizing it. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2024 Sam LaPorta, 23, is a rookie tight end who paced Detroit in catches with nine and was a steady threat all day long. Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Players want to pace themselves, and avoid injury in the spring. Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 In 2024, Live Nation said concert ticket sales are pacing up 6 percent, with 57 million tickets sold so far for this year. Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024 The Bucs are paced by Charlie Hutchison and Caleb Newman. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pace.' 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

Noun and Verb

Middle English pas, from Anglo-French, stride, step, from Latin passus, from pandere to spread — more at fathom

Preposition

Latin, ablative of pac-, pax peace, permission — more at pact

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1522, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Preposition

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pace was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near pace

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

pace

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: rate of moving especially on foot
b
: rate of progress
the pace of the story was slow
2
a
: a manner of going on foot : gait
b
: a fast gait of a horse in which legs on the same side move together
3
: a single step or a measure based on the length of a human step

pace

2 of 2 verb
paced; pacing
1
: to walk with slow steady steps
pacing to and fro
2
: to cover at a walk
pace the floor
3
: to measure by paces
pace off twenty feet
4
: to set or regulate the pace of
tried to pace himself during the marathon
pacer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on pace

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