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
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."
"Walkers of all abilities can join the group and go at their own pace."
2
A single step, or the distance covered by one step.
"He measured the garden by counting his paces across it."
"The guard took three slow paces forward and then stopped."
"The map said the box was buried twenty paces north of the gate."
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."
"Unable to sit still, the nervous father paced the kitchen floor."
2
To set or control the speed of an activity.
"The coach told the runners to pace themselves for the first mile."
"You should pace your revision so you don't tire before the exam."
"The cyclist paced her friend up the long hill by riding just ahead."
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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like pace.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- paces
- Third person singular
- paces
- Past tense
- paced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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."
Related words
Rhymes for pace
See all rhymes for pace →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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include pace:
