accelerator
noun
ac·cel·er·a·tor
ik-ˈse-lə-ˌrā-tər
ak-
plural accelerators
: one that accelerates: such as
a
: a muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action
b
: a device (such as a gas pedal) for increasing the speed of a motor vehicle engine
c
: a substance that speeds a chemical reaction
d
: an apparatus for imparting high velocities to charged particles (such as electrons)
e
: an item of computer hardware that increases the speed at which a program or function operates
a graphics accelerator
Cite this Entry
“Accelerator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accelerator. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.
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