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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are also corporate investors like Xylem Innovation Labs, and specialized accelerators like Imagine H2O. Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 In effect, officials steered a car off the road, threw a cinder block on the accelerator, then jumped out of the vehicle with passengers still in the back. David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025 Intel has lost market share to rivals in recent years and missed the shift to artificial intelligence accelerators, a market now dominated by Nvidia Corp. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2025 This comes after the news that Diageo was pulling out of the accelerator program Distill Ventures, which invested in the Portland, Ore. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for accelerator

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

Cite this Entry

“Accelerator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accelerator. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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

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