pace

¹pace

noun \ˈpās\

Definition of PACE

1

a : rate of movement; 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 pace — Amy Loveman>

2

: a manner of walking : tread

3

a : step 2a(1) b : any of various units of distance based on the length of a human step

4

a 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

Examples of PACE

1. We walked at a leisurely pace along the shore.
2. The pace of the story was slow.
3. His new album is selling at a blistering pace.

Origin of PACE

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Weights and Measures Terms

avoirdupois weight, calorie, denier, kip, twain

Rhymes with PACE

ace, base, bass, brace, case, chase, dace, face, grace, lace, mace, Mace, Naas, place, plaice, prase, race, res, space, Thrace, trace, vase, Wace