Standard Lemma guide

hyperdrive

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: HH AY1 P ER0 D R AY2 V Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A spaceship engine that allows faster-than-light travel by entering hyperspace.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: literature, media, publishing, science-fiction

Examples

  • The ship's hyperdrive had failed, leaving them stranded years from any repair base.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A state of accelerated action.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • With enemies closing in fast, our hero's mind sprung into hyperdrive.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úp Proto-Indo-European *-er Proto-Indo-European *upér Proto-Hellenic *hupér Ancient Greek ῠ̔πέρ (hŭpér) Ancient Greek ῠ̔περ- (hŭper-)der. English hyper- Proto-West Germanic *drīban Old English drīfan Middle English driven English drive English hyperdrive From hyper- + drive.