Speeding
/ˈspiːdɪŋ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo move at a high rate of speed, often exceeding a legal or safe limit.
/ˈspiːdɪŋ/
To move or travel very fast.
The police officer pulled him over for speeding.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're in a race and going super fast! Speeding is like that, but usually in a car, and sometimes you get a ticket for it. Like, "Whoa! That car is speeding so fast!"
👶 For kids: Going really, really fast! Like when a race car zooms around the track.
More Examples
The train was speeding towards the station.
The wind was speeding up the erosion of the cliffs.
How It's Used
"The car was speeding down the highway."
"He was speeding through the project to meet the deadline."
The act of exceeding the speed limit or a safe speed.
/ˈspiːdɪŋ/
The act of traveling at excessive speed, often in a vehicle.
Speeding is a dangerous habit that leads to accidents.
💡 Simply: It's when you're driving a car too fast. Going faster than the law says you should. Like, "Oh no! The driver got a ticket for speeding."
👶 For kids: When you drive a car or ride a bike too fast.
More Examples
The cost of the speeding ticket was $200.
The authorities are cracking down on speeding in this area.
How It's Used
"The officer issued a ticket for speeding."
"Speeding is a major cause of accidents."
Idioms & expressions
Speed limit
The maximum legal speed that a vehicle can travel on a particular road.
"The speed limit on the highway is 65 mph."
To speed up
To increase the speed of something.
"The driver sped up to pass the other car."
Speed trap
A place where law enforcement officers are known to catch drivers speeding.
"The town is notorious for its speed traps."
From Middle English speden, meaning 'to prosper, succeed, hurry,' from Old English spēdan, meaning 'to succeed, be successful, flourish.' The sense of 'moving quickly' developed over time.
The term 'speeding' has been in use since the early 20th century, evolving with the development of automobiles and the need for speed limits.
Memory tip
Think of the word 'speed' and add 'ing' to describe something currently moving fast.