: marked by a fast rate of motion, activity, succession, or occurrence
rapidly
adverb
rapidness
noun
: a part of a river where the current is fast and the surface is usually broken by obstructions
—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction
Examples of rapid in a Sentence
Adjective
There's been rapid growth in the number of new businesses in the town.
Scientists are concerned about the rapid disappearance of the island's coral reefs.
She carefully guided the boat through the rapid water.
Recent Examples on the Web
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
However, no big promises are being made about throwing a lot of money at a rapid rise.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 May 2025
John Archibald, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
Among its claims to fame are the steepest cliffs (more than 2,700 feet), the oldest rocks (1.8 billion-years) in North America, and a Gunnison River with gnarly Class V rapids that only the most experienced paddlers can run.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rapid
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Adjective
But over the decades, jobs vanished, factories closed, and industry's hum was replaced by the lure of cheap labor overseas and rapid automation at home.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
However, no big promises are being made about throwing a lot of money at a rapid rise.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Noun
Kayakers and canoeists can take advantage of Class I and II rapids on the Chestatee and Etowah Rivers.
—John Archibald, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
Among its claims to fame are the steepest cliffs (more than 2,700 feet), the oldest rocks (1.8 billion-years) in North America, and a Gunnison River with gnarly Class V rapids that only the most experienced paddlers can run.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rapid
Cite this Entry
“Rapid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapid. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rapid
1 of 2 adjective
rap·id
ˈrap-əd 
: very fast
rapidity
noun
rə-ˈpid-ət-ē
ra-
rapidly
adverb
rapidness
noun
rapid
2 of 2 noun
: a part of a river where the current flows fast usually over rocks
—usually used in plural
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