pace1
/payss/ • noun 1 a single step taken when walking or running. 2 a gait of a horse, especially one of the recognized trained gaits. 3 speed or rate of motion, development, or change. • verb 1 walk at a steady speed, especially without a particular destination and as an expression of anxiety. 2 measure (a distance) by walking it and counting the number of steps taken. 3 lead (another runner in a race) in order to establish a competitive speed. 4 (pace oneself) do something at a restrained and steady rate or speed. 5 move or develop (something) at a particular rate or speed. 6 (of a trained horse) move with a distinctive lateral gait in which both legs on the same side are lifted together. — PHRASES keep pace with move or progress at the same speed as. off the pace behind the leader in a race or contest. put someone through their paces make someone demonstrate their abilities. stand (or stay) the pace be able to keep up with others. — ORIGIN Latin passus ‘stretch (of the leg)’.
Perform another search of the Compact Oxford English Dictionary
About this dictionary
The Compact Oxford English Dictionary of Current English contains 145,000 words, phrases, and definitions.
Find out more about Oxford's range of English dictionaries
Sign up for the AskOxford Word of the Day
Search the Little Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
Search the Concise Dictionary of First Names
| 
