Words / B2

dee-SEL-uh-rayt/ˌdiːˈseləreɪt/

To decelerate is to reduce speed; to slow down: decelerate from; deceleration. Accelerate is the twin; brake is the everyday action. Quote the deceleration in m/s², then the stopping distance. Mix-up: decelerate vs accelerate; decent; do not write decelerate for a vehicle that is already stopped in the source.

Meaning

To reduce speed; to slow down.

Examples

• “Quote the deceleration in m/s², then the stopping distance, the physics paper said.”
• “The train decelerated into the station, which is still a named speed change — quote m/s if given.”

Good to know

decelerate from / to; deceleration. Twin: accelerate. Everyday: slow down / brake. Trap: a stationary vehicle. Physics and PE. Slow down — quote m/s² and distance.

Near in meaning

slow down, brake, lose speed

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