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-drome

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a combining form meaning “running,” “course,” “racecourse” (hippodrome); on this model used to form words referring to other large structures (airdrome).
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Origin of -drome

Combining form of Greek drómosdromos

Other definitions for -drome (2 of 2)

Drôme
[ drohm ]
/ droʊm /

noun
a department in SE France. 2,533 sq. mi. (6,560 sq. km). Capital: Valence.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WORDS THAT USE -DROME

What does -drome mean?

The combining form -drome is used like a suffix meaning “running,” “course,” or “racecourse.” It is occasionally used in technical terms.

The form -drome comes from Greek drómos, meaning “a running,” “course,” or “place for running.”

What are variants of -drome?

In adjectives that correspond to nouns that end in -drome, the form becomes -dromous, as in heterodromous.

Examples of -drome

One example of a technical term that uses the form -drome is motordome, “a rounded course or track for automobile and motorcycle races.”

The motor- part of the word refers to motor-powered vehicles, either automobiles or motorcycles. As we know, the -drome portion of the word means “racecourse.” Motordrome literally translates to “automobile or motorcycle racecourse.”

What are some words that use the combining form -drome?

What are some other forms that -drome may be commonly confused with?

Break it down!

The combining form hippo- means “horse.” With this in mind, what does hippodrome mean?

How to use -drome in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for -drome (1 of 2)

-drome

n combining form
a course, racecoursehippodrome
a large place for a special purposeaerodrome

Word Origin for -drome

via Latin from Greek dromos race, course

British Dictionary definitions for -drome (2 of 2)

Drôme
/ (French drom) /

noun
a department of SE France, in Rhône-Alpes region. Capital: Valence. Pop: 452 652 (2003 est. Area: 6561 sq km (2559 sq miles)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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