Speed
Engineering Fundamentals · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: Speed is the rate at which an object covers distance. It is a scalar quantity used in engineering to describe motion, flow, and processing rates.
Example in context
“The cutting speed of the lathe must be optimized to achieve the desired surface finish.”
“Torna tezgahının kesme hızı, istenen yüzey kalitesini elde etmek için optimize edilmelidir.”
Where engineers use it
Speed is used in machining, vehicle dynamics, and fluid flow. Engineers select speeds for processes, determine safe operating limits, and calculate throughput.
Practice: can you use “Speed” at work?
You are programming a CNC mill. Choose the appropriate spindle speed and feed rate for machining aluminum based on tool diameter and material properties.
Show a model answer
“What is the recommended spindle speed for this material?”
“Speed” in 21 languages
| English | Speed |
|---|---|
| Turkish | hız |
| French | vitesse |
| German | Geschwindigkeit |
| Spanish | velocidad |
| Chinese | 速度 |
| Arabic | سرعة |
| Portuguese | velocidade |
| Russian | скорость |
| Japanese | 速度 |
| Italian | velocità |
| Vietnamese | tốc độ |
| Hindi | गति |
| Thai | ความเร็ว |
| Indonesian | kecepatan |
| Korean | 속도 |
| Bengali | গতি |
| Dutch | snelheid |
| Swedish | hastighet |
| Finnish | nopeus |
| Ukrainian | швидкість |
Frequently asked questions
What does Speed mean in engineering?
Speed is the rate at which an object covers distance. It is a scalar quantity used in engineering to describe motion, flow, and processing rates. In Engineering Fundamentals, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Speed?
Speed is pronounced /spiːd/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Speed used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The cutting speed of the lathe must be optimized to achieve the desired surface finish.”
This entry is one of 7,806 terms in the Engineering English iOS app — with quizzes, spaced repetition and pronunciation checking.
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