keep pace

Variant of pace

pace definition

pace (pās)

noun

  1. a step in walking, running, etc.; stride
  2. a unit of linear measure, equal to the length of a step or stride, variously estimated at from 30 inches to 40 inches: the regulation military pace is 30 inches, or 36 inches for double time: the Roman pace, measured from the heel of one foot to the heel of the same foot in the next stride, was 5 Roman ft, or 58.1 inches, now known as a geometric pace, about 5 ft
    1. the rate of speed in walking, running, etc.
    2. Sports the speed of a ball, shuttlecock, etc.
  3. rate of movement, progress, development, etc.
  4. a particular way of walking, running, etc. (of a person or animal); gait; walk
  5. the gait of a horse in which both legs on the same side are raised together

Etymology: ME pas < OFr < L passus, a step, lit., a stretching out of the leg < pp. of pandere, to stretch out < IE base *pet-, to stretch out > fathom

transitive verb paced, pacing pac′·ing

  1. to walk or stride back and forth across
  2. to measure by paces: often with off
  3. to train, develop, or guide the pace of (a horse)
    1. to set the pace for (a runner, horse, etc.)
    2. to regulate the rate of progress, development, etc. of
  4. to go before and lead
  5. to cover (a certain distance)

intransitive verb

  1. to walk with slow or regular steps
  2. to raise both legs on the same side at the same time in moving: said of a horse
pace Idioms

change of pace

  1. variation in tempo or mood, in the presentation of acts in a variety show, etc.
  2. Baseball change-up

go through one's paces

to show one's abilities, skills, etc.

keep pace (with)

  1. to go at the same speed (as)
  2. to maintain the same rate of progress, etc. (as)

off the pace

behind the leader; out of first place

put through one's paces

to test one's ability, skills, etc.

set the pace

  1. to go at a speed that others try to equal, as in a race
  2. to do or be something for others to emulate

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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