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 The sound will increase as the accelerator pedal is pressed down harder reaching decibel levels produced by the high-output V8 muscle cars the new Charger will replace. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 Looking beyond accelerators, Nvidia’s software opportunity is a main factor in our thesis – that Nvidia will not only be the primary player for AI hardware, but simultaneously will become a predominant player for AI software. Beth Kindig, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Kucherov hit the accelerator first, with 11 points in his next three contests to grab the NHL lead on Nov. 7. Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2024 Lin, who identifies as Asian American, launched an accelerator program about two years ago. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 Although neither company specified what the chips would be used for, Bloomberg noted today that Microsoft has been planning in-house designs for both processors and AI accelerators. Wes Davis, The Verge, 22 Feb. 2024 Components of the innovation system outside universities — including capital providers, incubators and accelerators, business parks and law firms — would suffer, too. Carol Mimura, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 Demand for Nvidia’s H100 AI accelerators continues to outstrip supply, Mizuho’s Vijay Rakesh wrote in a client note, calling the stock the best AI play. Subrat Patnaik, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2024 In the middle of the crates was a small pneumatic pump connecting two white barrels, one containing acid powder and the other an accelerator that could cause a chemical reaction strong enough to turn the entire contents of the safe to debris within two hours. Nadia Beard, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 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

Dictionary Entries Near accelerator

Cite this Entry

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

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!