26984 words

pace

21 definitions • 43 examples
1
the speed at which someone or something moves, or with which something happens or changes:

Examples:

a slow/fast pace
quicken your pace When she thought she heard someone following her, she quickened her pace.
keep pace Could you slow down - I can't keep pace with (= walk or run as fast as) you.
off the pace She finished well off the pace (= a long way behind the winner of the race) in fifth.
set the pace For many years this company has set the pace (= has been the most successful company) in the communications industry.
stand the pace I quit because I couldn't stand the pace (= could not continue with a high level of effort) any more.
at a pace These changes seem to me to be happening at too fast a pace.
pace of I don't like the pace of modern life.
2
while moving quickly:

Examples:

It can be scary for a defender when you see an attacker coming towards you at pace.
3

Examples:

The novel's plot moves forward at pace and there is no time to get bored.
4
to make other people in a race go faster by going faster yourself:

Examples:

Sylva, in a red shirt and shorts, forced the pace lap after exhausting lap.
5
the ability of a football player or team to move quickly with the ball:

Examples:

He plays on the right wing and has pace as well as skill.
Chelsea lacked pace up front.
6
a single step, or the distance you move when you take a single step:

Examples:

The runner collapsed just a few paces from the finish.
7
to get someone to run a race at a particular speed, for example by running with them
8
to be careful not to do something too quickly, so that you do not get too tired to finish it:

Examples:

No more soup, thank you. I'm pacing myself so that I have room for a dessert.
Don't try to do everything at once - pace yourself.
There's a tremendous amount to see and do in the city, so pace yourself and don't try to do it all on the first day.
The secret is to pace yourself and only increase the length of your run once a week.
I've had to learn to pace myself in order to preserve my energy.
She's not very good at pacing herself and can get pretty exhausted.
9
to walk with regular steps in one direction and then back again, usually because you are worried or nervous:

Examples:

He paced the room nervously.
pace up and down He paced up and down, waiting for the doctor to call.
10
the speed at which someone or something moves, or with which something happens or changes:

Examples:

She walks four miles every day at a brisk pace.
You seem to be working at a slower pace than normal.
11
To keep pace is to be in the same position as someone or something else as each progresses or moves forward:

Examples:

fig. The Orioles won their ninth straight game to keep pace with Boston.
12
to walk in one direction and then in the opposite direction, often because you are worried or waiting for something to happen:

Examples:

[ I ] She paced back and forth outside the courtroom.
13
to move, happen, or progress:

Examples:

It was a cheaply produced film, sluggishly paced and poorly acted.
14
To pace a group or the members of a group is to lead them or stay even with them:

Examples:

Smith scored 17 points to pace North Springs to a 78-38 victory.
15
the speed at which something happens or is done:

Examples:

a fast/rapid pace
Their economy is expanding at an increasing pace.
They are struggling to keep up with the pace of change in the industry.
16
to make things happen more quickly or to force other people to do things more quickly:

Examples:

New technologies are forcing the pace of globalization.
There will be no attempt to force the pace at next week's meeting.
17
to manage to do things at the same time or speed as someone else, or as quickly as necessary:

Examples:

They simply can't keep pace with the competition.
We need to keep pace with the latest IT developments.
18
to start to happen more quickly:

Examples:

The recovery from the global economic crisis is now gathering pace.
19
to make someone show you their skills and knowledge, or to test how well something works:

Examples:

As the machines come off the assembly line, a team of quality controllers puts them through their paces.
The interview panel will put all candidates through their paces especially in relation to financial skills.
20
to be the first to do new things or to do them particularly well, so that other people or organizations have to follow your example if they want to succeed:

Examples:

The company has set the pace for flexibility and rapid turnaround of orders.
The department is setting the pace with its use of virtual technology.
21
to try not to do things too quickly so that you have enough energy to be able to complete your task successfully:

Examples:

Pacing yourself and setting achievable goals are the keys to success in this business.

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