noun B1 Intermediate Common

pace

pays

Pace (noun) means the speed at which something happens or someone moves. Example: “The project is moving at a frustratingly slow pace.”

noun

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."

A single step, or the distance covered by one step.

"He measured the garden by counting his paces across it."

verb

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."

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 notes

In 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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The project is moving at a frustratingly slow _____.

Etymology

From Old French "pas," from Latin "passus" ("step, stride") — the same root that gives us "pass" and "passage."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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speed tempo rate stride gait velocity

Related words

price rate step range walk charge speed percent

Rhymes for pace

ace face race mace lace Jace peace space trace grace place brace

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Frequently asked questions

What does “pace” mean?

The word “pace” means the speed at which something happens or someone moves. In plain terms, the speed of movement or progress, a single step, or (as a verb) to walk back and forth or to control speed.

How do you pronounce “pace”?

“Pace” is pronounced pays (/peɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “pace” in a sentence?

Here is “pace” used in a sentence: “The project is moving at a frustratingly slow pace.”

What part of speech is “pace”?

Depending on how it is used, “pace” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “pace” come from?

The word “pace” comes from Latin. From Old French "pas," from Latin "passus" ("step, stride") — the same root that gives us "pass" and "passage.".

Is “pace” a common word?

“Pace” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “pace” have?

“Pace” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the speed at which something happens or someone moves.

What is the difference between pace and speed?

Speed is the neutral measure of how fast something moves. Pace refers to the speed at which something happens or someone moves, and it is preferred for human activity and rhythm: "the pace of life," "set the pace." In running, pace is usually expressed as time per distance (minutes per mile or kilometre), the inverse of speed.

What is the difference between pace and tempo?

Both refer to speed, but tempo is used especially for the speed of music and, by extension, the rhythm of an activity: "the tempo of the match." Pace is the more general word for the speed at which someone moves or something happens.

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