noun
pace
pays
noun
1
The speed at which something happens or someone moves.
"The project is moving at a frustratingly slow pace."
"She set a brisk pace for the morning run."
2
A single step, or the distance covered by one step.
"He measured the garden by counting his paces across it."
verb
1
To walk back and forth repeatedly, often out of nervousness or impatience.
"She paced the waiting room while the doctors operated."
"He paced up and down the hallway, rehearsing what he'd say."
2
To set or control the speed of an activity.
"The coach told the runners to pace themselves for the first mile."
How to Use Pace
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe speed of movement or progress, a single step, or (as a verb) to walk back and forth or to control speed.
Common pairings
keep pace
set the pace
pace yourself
a slow pace
Word Forms
paced past tense, paces plural, paces plural, paces singular
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Etymology
From Old French "pas," from Latin "passus" ("step, stride") — the same root that gives us "pass" and "passage."