race
rays
Race (noun) means a contest to see who is fastest at reaching a goal. Example: “The boat race along the river draws a big crowd every spring.”
noun
1
A contest to see who is fastest at reaching a goal.
"The boat race along the river draws a big crowd every spring."
"She won the 100-metre race by a fraction of a second."
"The two companies are locked in a race to release the first product."
2
A group of people classed together based on shared ancestry or physical characteristics.
"The census asks people to self-identify their race."
"The form asked each applicant to state their race and age."
"Children learn at school that people of every race deserve respect."
verb
1
To compete to see who can get somewhere or finish something first.
"The two cyclists raced down the hill as fast as they could."
"The kids raced each other to the end of the street."
"We raced to catch the last train home."
How to use race
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a speed contest, or a way of grouping people by shared ancestry.
Common mistake
Don't confuse this "race" (contest/ancestry) with the verb "raze" (to demolish) — they sound identical but mean opposite things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
race against time
human race
race to the finish
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Word forms
- Plural
- races
- Third person singular
- races
- Past tense
- raced
- Archaic forms
- racest, racedst, raceth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The boat _____ along the river draws a big crowd every spring.
Etymology
The competition sense traces to Old English and Old Norse words for a swift run or rush; the "group of people" sense arrived separately, later, from continental European languages.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for race
See all rhymes for race →Frequently asked questions
What does “race” mean?
The word “race” means a contest to see who is fastest at reaching a goal. In plain terms, either a speed contest, or a way of grouping people by shared ancestry.
How do you pronounce “race”?
“Race” is pronounced rays (/ɹeɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “race” in a sentence?
Here is “race” used in a sentence: “She won the 100-metre race by a fraction of a second.”
What part of speech is “race”?
Depending on how it is used, “race” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “race” come from?
The word “race” comes from Old English. The competition sense traces to Old English and Old Norse words for a swift run or rush; the "group of people" sense arrived separately, later, from continental European languages.
Is “race” a common word?
“Race” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “race” have?
“Race” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a contest to see who is fastest at reaching a goal.
What is the difference between race and raze?
These words sound alike but are unrelated. A race is a contest to see who is fastest at reaching a goal, and as a verb it means to move very quickly. To raze means to completely destroy or level something, usually a building, to the ground. The similar sound is the only link.
What are the different types of races?
Races vary by how competitors move and travel. Common types include foot races such as sprints and marathons, along with cycling, swimming, horse, and motor races. They may be individual or team-based and short or long. What unites them is the goal of being fastest to the finish.
What is an example of race used in a sentence?
You might say, "She won the 100-metre race," or "The horses lined up for the race." In each, competitors compete to reach a goal fastest. The word can also work as a verb, as in "they raced to the finish line," keeping the same idea of speed.
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