Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

pace

- definition

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

noun

/peɪs/

singular	pace
plural	paces

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

1
[singular/uncountable] the speed at which something happens or is done
the pace of something:
The pace of technological change increased steadily during the 20th century.
the pace of life:
The pace of life in the village is slow and easy.
at your own pace (=as slowly or quickly as you like):
The course allows students to progress at their own pace.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
2
[countable] a step that you take when you walk or run
take a pace:
Charlie took a pace backwards.
I took a few paces towards her.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
1. a.
  a unit for measuring distance based on the length of a single step when you walk
  Twenty paces or so beyond the shed, the road twisted out of sight.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
3
[uncountable] the ability to run quickly
a player with pace as well as skill
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
1. a.
  [singular] the speed at which you move
  slow/quicken your pace:
  He slowed his pace to observe where Jerome went.
  at a leisurely/brisk pace:
  We proceeded at a leisurely pace down the corridor.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
4
[uncountable] an exciting quality that something such as a book or film has, because of the quick and interesting way in which the story develops
Her plays lack the pace and tension of her thrillers.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace

phrases

gather pace
British
1. 1
  to start to happen more quickly and have more success
  After 1946, support for European unity began to gather pace.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
2. 2
  to start to move more quickly
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
go through your paces
or show your paces
to show other people how good you are at a particular activity
The Scottish team went through their paces for the press yesterday.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
keep pace (with)
1. 1
  to develop or progress at the same rate as something else
  The government is not allowing salaries to keep pace with inflation.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
2. 2
  to move at the same speed as someone or something else
  Ron had to run to keep pace with Guido.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
put someone through their paces/put something through its paces
to make a person or machine show how good they are at doing something
The test drivers put the new models through their paces.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
set the pace
1. 1
  to establish a rate or standard that others have to achieve
  The deal will set the pace for the EU's enlargement over the next decade.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
2. 2
  to run at a speed that other runners try to match, especially at the beginning of a race
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
stand the pace
1. 1
  to manage to do something at the same rate or to the same standard as others
  If you can stand the pace, you can make enough money to retire in five years.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace
2. 2
  to continue running as fast as the other runners in a race
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pace

This is the British English definition of pace. View American English definition of pace.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for pace.

caxirola

a percussion instrument used by football fans which makes a rattling sound when shaken

BuzzWord Article

More BuzzWords

BuzzWord archive

Word of the Day

glean

to learn small pieces of information by asking questions or watching or listening carefully

Open Dictionary

pierce the corporate veil

… the decision to treat the rights and duties of a company as being the same as the rights and duties of its shareholders

add a word

More submissions

view entries

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog

Did you know?

pace

What are red words?

Thesaurus

Related dictionary definitions

phrases

gather pace

go through your paces

or show your paces

keep pace (with)

put someone through their paces/put something through its paces

set the pace

stand the pace

caxirola

Word of the Day

glean

pierce the corporate veil