Definition

Noun: * A control pedal in a vehicle: The "accelerator pedal" is the foot-operated pedal in a motor vehicle which, when pressed, increases the supply of fuel to the engine, causing the vehicle to move or increase its speed. It is commonly known as the "gas pedal."

Usage

The term "accelerator pedal" is used to specifically refer to the control mechanism for a vehicle's speed. It is a formal or technical term. * The driver gently pressed the accelerator pedal to merge onto the highway. * Instructor reminded the student to ease off the accelerator pedal when approaching the curve.

Advanced Usage

• "To depress the accelerator pedal": A formal way to say "to press the gas pedal."
  • Depress the accelerator pedal gradually to avoid wheel spin.
• "Accelerator pedal position sensor": A technical term for the electronic component that measures how far the pedal is pressed.
  • The car's computer uses data from the accelerator pedal position sensor.

Variants and Related Words

• Gas pedal (n): The most common informal synonym in American English.
• Throttle (n): While often referring to the engine mechanism itself, in informal contexts (especially in motorcycling or aviation), it can mean the control for power, sometimes operated by a pedal.
• Accelerator (n): A common shortened form. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Gas
• Throttle (informal, context-dependent)

Related Phrases

• "Step on the gas": An idiom meaning to press the accelerator pedal, often implying to do so quickly or forcefully.
  • When the light turned green, he stepped on the gas.
• "Floor the accelerator": An idiom meaning to press the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor for maximum speed or power.
  • She floored the accelerator to escape the danger.

Noun

1. a pedal that controls the throttle valve
   • he stepped on the gas