Linear velocity refers to the rate at which an object moves along a straight path. It is defined as the distance traveled per unit of time, typically measured in meters per second (m/s). Linear velocity can be calculated by dividing the total distance covered by the time taken to cover that distance. In physics, linear velocity is important for understanding motion in various contexts, such as vehicles on a road or objects in free fall. It differs from angular velocity, which measures how fast an object rotates around a point. Both concepts are essential for analyzing movement in different scenarios.