pace

Pace is the speed at which somebody moves or works. Fast, slow, or just about sustainable.

It covers walking, running and life generally, so a brisk pace, the pace of change and the pace of the story are all standard. It also means a single step, which is why you can measure a room in paces. Setting the pace means leading, and keeping pace means not falling behind. Somebody who goes too fast too early has to slow down, which is why runners talk about pacing themselves.

Phrases it lives in

• keep pace with — move or develop at the same speed as something else