accelerator

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tor ik-ˈse-lə-ˌrā-tər 

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

Form Local Relationships Building relationships with local business incubators or accelerators is key. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

In April 2024, Tesla recalled nearly 4,000 vehicles for a faulty accelerator pedal that could become stuck. —Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025

Think Milk Carton Kids leaning into the DeLorean’s accelerator and paying more mind to the Jimmie Rodgers tunes on the radio than to the fact that the Flux Capacitor is still on and the time circuits are going haywire. —Aaron Davis, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025

Revenue continues to surge at Nvidia as the company rides the AI boom with its data center graphics processing units , or GPUs, which comprise the vast majority of the market for AI accelerators. —Yun Li, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

accelerate + -or entry 1

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing accelerator

• accelerator mass spectrometry
• linear accelerator
• particle accelerator

Rhymes for accelerator

• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• attenuator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator
• coordinator

Kids Definition

accelerator

noun

ac·​cel·​er·​a·​tor ik-ˈsel-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

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- 

: 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)