Skip to main content
steady pace

steady pace

5 2.7
An even speed without big changes or stops
  • noun
translation icon : ritmo constante
  • As we hiked up the hill, we kept a steady pace to conserve our energy.

The party moved at a steady pace along the drained bed.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • The party moved at a steady pace along the drained bed.

  • The warrior strode on at a steady pace, his eyes alert for signs of danger.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • It's been moving at a steady pace, for hours.

  • Keep going at a steady pace.

  • Another unique factor was the slow, steady pace with which the program began and developed.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Meanwhile, the black hole is advancing at a steady pace.

  • Then go safely and with a steady pace.

  • Keep in a good, straight line, three lengths between you and the man in front and a good, steady pace.

  • Ahead of her, an entwined couple were walking, keeping a steady pace.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Paul is jogging along the trail, keeping a steady pace, the sounds of the forest all around him.

    Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

pace
vssteady pace
409 2.0

How fast someone or something moves

refers to a constant speed without notable changes or interruptions

Antonyms

556 1.0

A place where a vehicle like a bus pauses on a route

How Fast

breakneck
10 6.7
fast pace
10 2.5
steady pace
5 2.7
slow-moving
17 2.3
crawl
19 2.7
glacial pace
  • Informal
1 6.8
standstill
35 3.5

Surface Forms

steady pace singular
steady paces plural

Morphology

steady + pace

The meaning 'a consistent speed or rate' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'steady' (remaining constant) with 'pace' (speed or rate). This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition and a common, cross-linguistic concept, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Steady pace comes from the image of someone walking or running in calm, even steps; steady means not changing and pace means the speed of those steps. Keeping that same, even movement gives a 'consistent speed', so steady pace means moving without big changes.