pace1

Syllabification: (pace)

Pronunciation: /pās/

Definition of pace

1a single step taken when walking or running.
a unit of length representing the distance between two successive steps in walking.
a gait of a horse or other animal, especially one of the recognized trained gaits of a horse.
literary a person’s manner of walking or running:I steal with quiet pace

2consistent and continuous speed in walking, running, or moving:most traffic moved at the pace of the riverboat [in singular]:walking at a comfortably fast pace
the speed or rate at which something happens, changes, or develops:the children work separately in the classroom at their own pace the poor neighborhoods fester at an increasingly rapid pace

[no object]

walk at a steady and consistent speed, especially back and forth and as an expression of one’s anxiety or annoyance:we paced up and down in exasperation [with object]:she had been pacing the room
[with object] measure (a distance) by walking it and counting the number of steps taken:I paced out the dimensions of my new home
[with object] lead (another runner in a race) in order to establish a competitive speed:Morales paced us for four miles
(pace oneself) do something at a slow and steady rate or speed in order to avoid overexerting oneself:Frank was pacing himself for the long night and day ahead
[with object] move or develop (something) at a particular rate or speed:the action is paced to the beat of a perky march [as adjectivein combination]: (-paced)our fast-paced daily lives
(of a horse) move in a distinctive lateral gait in which both legs on the same side are lifted together, seen mostly in specially bred or trained horses.

Phrases

change of pace: a change from what one is used to:the magenta is a change of pace from traditional red
keep pace with: move, develop, or progress at the same speed as:fees have had to be raised a little to keep pace with inflation
off the pace: behind the leader or leading group in a race or contest.
put someone (or something) through their (or its) paces: make someone (or something) demonstrate their (or its) qualities or abilities:the cars are examined by our safety experts and put through their paces by our drivers
set the pace: be the fastest runner in the early part of a race.; lead the way in doing or achieving something:space movies have set the pace for the development of special effects

Middle English: from Old French pas, from Latin passus 'stretch (of the leg)', from pandere 'to stretch'

Definition of pace in the British & World English dictionary