auto racing

American

noun

the sport of racing automobiles in which drivers compete against each other on a course designed for racing or on closed public roads.

Etymology

Origin of auto racing

Probably earlier than 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Devotees of European-based, open-wheeled auto racing already know what happened during the 2025 season.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

The story is, BMW entered auto racing in 1936, with a model called the 328.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025

However, it is arguably in Nascar where Gordon is best known, having spent more than two decades competing in the beloved auto racing series.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025

Dixon, 44, will be honored alongside longtime Grand Prix president and CEO Jim Michaelian and former Long Beach mayor Beverly O’Neill, in recognition of their contributions to auto racing in the city.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2025

Hacker sports are almost always primarily self-competitive ones involving concentration, stamina, and micromotor skills: martial arts, bicycling, auto racing, kite flying, hiking, rock climbing, aviation, target-shooting, sailing, caving, juggling, skiing, skating, skydiving, scuba diving.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023