adaptive cruise control

noun

: a system in an automobile that can automatically adjust the settings of the cruise control in response to external driving conditions
Jaguar's adaptive cruise control … tracks the speed and position of the car in the lane ahead and automatically adjusts the speed to keep a safe time interval.—Bruce McCall

Examples of adaptive cruise control in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those systems power features such as steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and autonomous driving, according to Citi. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 As such, the new bike's radar detectors bring adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind spot detection. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 Plenty of new vehicles offer adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, automatic parking, and related systems. — Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 For example, the adaptive cruise control can be slow to respond to changes in traffic, and the constant warning beeps to remind you to keep your hands on the steering wheel can get annoying. — ABC News, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for adaptive cruise control

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adaptive cruise control was in 1988

Rhymes for adaptive cruise control

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Browse Nearby Words

adaptive
adaptive cruise control
adaptive optics
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Cite this Entry

“Adaptive cruise control.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adaptive%20cruise%20control. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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