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escape velocity
noun
: the minimum velocity that a moving body (such as a rocket) must have to escape from the gravitational field of a celestial body (such as the earth) and move outward into space
Examples of escape velocity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nvidia hasn’t been able to get escape velocity above its June 2024 high.
—
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025
Because none of the startups have yet to achieve the escape velocity needed to stand alone again as Nvidia.
—
Karl Freund, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
For startups, achieving escape velocity means gaining enough market traction, revenue and a solid customer base to move beyond failure.
—
Richie Etwaru, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024
But the team identified seven that were moving faster than the escape velocity of the cluster.
—
Bydaniel Clery, science.org, 10 July 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1934, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near escape velocity
Cite this Entry
“Escape velocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escape%20velocity. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
escape velocity
noun
: the lowest velocity that a moving body (as a rocket) must have to escape from the field of gravity of the earth or of a heavenly body and move outward into space
More from Merriam-Webster on escape velocity
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about escape velocity
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