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• race
  race

  noun

  a contest of speed, as in running, riding, driving, or sailing.
• Race
  Race

  noun

  Cape, a cape at the SE extremity of Newfoundland.

race

¹ American  

[rays] / reɪs /

noun

1. a contest of speed, as in running, riding, driving, or sailing.

2. the races, a series of races, usually of horses or dogs, run at a set time over a regular course.

   They spent a day at the races.

3. any contest or competition, especially to achieve superiority.

   the arms race;

   the presidential race.

4. activity prompted by urgent need, responsibility, effort, etc., as when time is short or a solution is imperative.

   the race to find an effective vaccine.

5. onward movement; an onward or regular course, as of time, one’s life, etc., especially when thought of as swift or relentless.

   Often in the race of time and the daily struggle, we forget our true purpose in life.

6. an artificial channel leading water to or from a place where it or its energy is utilized.

   A mill race diverts the flow from the river to the millwheel.

7. the current of water in an artificial channel.

8. Geology.

   1. a strong or rapid current of water, as in the sea or a river.

   2. the channel or bed of such a current or of any stream.

9. Also called raceway. Machinery. a channel, groove, or the like, for sliding or rolling a part or parts, as the balls of a ball bearing.

10. Textiles.

    1. the float between adjacent rows of pile.

    2. race plate.

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verb (used without object)

• races,
  present (3rd person singular)
• raced,
  past participle,  past
• racing
  present participle

1. to engage in a contest of speed; run a race.

   He has raced several times in the Indy 500, but never won.

2. to run horses or dogs in races; engage in or practice horce racing or dog racing.

   Queen Elizabeth bred horses and regularly raced at Ascot.

3. to run, move, or go swiftly.

   We all screamed as the rollercoaster raced down the steep track.

4. (of an engine, wheel, etc.) to run with undue or uncontrolled speed when the load is diminished without a corresponding reduction of fuel, force, etc..

   I’m taking the car to the mechanic—the engine keeps racing.

verb (used with object)

• races,
  present (3rd person singular)
• raced,
  past participle,  past
• racing
  present participle

1. to run a race against; try to beat in a contest of speed.

   I'll race you to the water.

2. to enter (a horse, car, track team, or the like) in a race or races.

   In 1988, Jamaica raced its first bobsled team in the Winter Olympics.

3. to cause to run, move, or go at high speed.

   Don’t race the engine when shifting gears.

idioms

1. off to the races, starting a period of vigorous and usually promising activity toward some goal.

   With unemployment easing and the GDP expanding, I think the economy is finally off to the races.

   I gave her a few tips for her speech, and she was off to the races writing it.

race ² American  

[rays] / reɪs /

noun

1. a group of persons related by common descent or heredity.

   Synonyms:

   breed, line, stock, family, clan, tribe

2. a population so related.

3. Anthropology.

   1. (no longer in technical use) any of the traditional divisions of humankind, the commonest being the Caucasian, Mongoloid, and Negro, characterized by supposedly distinctive and universal physical characteristics.

   2. an arbitrary classification of modern humans, sometimes, especially formerly, based on any or a combination of various physical characteristics, as skin color, facial form, or eye shape, and now frequently based on such genetic markers as blood groups.

   3. a socially constructed category of identification based on physical characteristics, ancestry, historical affiliation, or shared culture.

      Her parents wanted her to marry within her race.

   4. a human population partially isolated reproductively from other populations, whose members share a greater degree of physical and genetic similarity with one another than with other humans.

4. a group of tribes or peoples forming an ethnic lineage.

   the Slavic race.

5. any people united by common history, language, cultural traits, etc..

   the Dutch race.

6. the human race or family; humankind.

   Nuclear weapons pose a threat to the race.

7. Zoology. a variety; subspecies.

8. a natural kind of living creature.

   the race of fishes.

9. any group, class, or kind, especially of persons.

   Journalists are an interesting race.

10. the characteristic taste or flavor of wine.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the races of humankind.

race ³ American  

[rays] / reɪs /

noun

1. the root of the ginger plant; a gingerroot.

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Race ⁴ American  

[rays] / reɪs /

noun

1. Cape, a cape at the SE extremity of Newfoundland.

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race ¹ British  

/ reɪs /

noun

1. a contest of speed, as in running, swimming, driving, riding, etc

2. any competition or rivalry

   the race for the White House

3. rapid or constant onward movement

   the race of time

4. a rapid current of water, esp one through a narrow channel that has a tidal range greater at one end than the other

5. a channel of a stream, esp one for conducting water to or from a water wheel or other device for utilizing its energy

   a mill race

6. 1. a channel or groove that contains ball bearings or roller bearings or that restrains a sliding component

   2. the inner or outer cylindrical ring in a ball bearing or roller bearing

7. a narrow passage or enclosure in a sheep yard through which sheep pass individually, as to a sheep dip

8. a wire tunnel through which footballers pass from the changing room onto a football field

9. a line of containers coupled together, used in mining to transport coal

10. another name for slipstream

11. archaic the span or course of life

12. informal given or having no chance

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verb

1. to engage in a contest of speed with (another)

2. to engage (oneself or one's representative) in a race, esp as a profession or pastime

   to race pigeons

3. to move or go as fast as possible

4. to run (an engine, shaft, propeller, etc) or (of an engine, shaft, propeller, etc) to run at high speed, esp after reduction of the load or resistance

Race ² British  

/ reɪs /

noun

1. a cape at the SE extremity of Newfoundland, Canada

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race ³ British  

/ reɪs /

noun

1. a group of people of common ancestry, distinguished from others by physical characteristics, such as hair type, colour of eyes and skin, stature, etc. Principal races are Caucasoid, Mongoloid, and Negroid

2. human beings collectively

3. a group of animals or plants having common characteristics that distinguish them from other members of the same species, usually forming a geographically isolated group; subspecies

4. a group of people sharing the same interests, characteristics, etc

   the race of authors

5. informal to introduce the subject of race into a public discussion, esp to gain a strategic advantage

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race ⁴ British  

/ reɪs /

noun

1. a ginger root

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race Scientific  

/ rās /

1. 1. An interbreeding, usually geographically isolated population of organisms differing from other populations of the same species in the frequency of hereditary traits. A race that has been given formal taxonomic recognition is known as a subspecies.

   2. A breed or strain, as of domestic animals.

2. Any of several extensive human populations associated with broadly defined regions of the world and distinguished from one another on the basis of inheritable physical characteristics, traditionally conceived as including such traits as pigmentation, hair texture, and facial features. Because the number of genes responsible for such physical variations is tiny in comparison to the size of the human genome and because genetic variation among members of a traditionally recognized racial group is generally as great as between two such groups, most scientists now consider race to be primarily a social rather than a scientific concept.

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race More Idioms  

1. see rat race; slow but sure (steady wins the race).

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Sensitive Note

Genetic evidence has undermined the idea of racial divisions of the human species and rendered race obsolete as a biological system of classification. Race therefore should no longer be considered as an objective category, as the term formerly was in expressions like the Caucasian race, the Asian race, the Hispanic race. Instead, if the reference is to a particular inherited physical trait, as skin color or eye shape, that salient feature should be mentioned specifically: discrimination based on color. Rather than using race to generalize about national or geographic origin, or even religious affiliation, it is better to be specific: South Korean, of Polish descent. References to cultural affiliation may refer to ethnicity or ethnic group: Kurdish ethnicity, Hispanic ethnicity. Though race is no longer considered a viable scientific categorization of humans, it continues to be used by the U.S. Census to refer to current prevalent categories of self-identification that include some physical traits, some historical affiliations, and some national origins: Black, white, American Indian, Chinese, Samoan, etc. The current version of the census also asks whether or not Americans are of Hispanic origin, which is not considered a race. There are times when it is still accurate to talk about race in society. Though race has lost its biological basis, the sociological consequences of historical racial categories persist. For example, it may be appropriate to invoke race to discuss social or historical events shaped by racial categorizations, as slavery, segregation, integration, discrimination, equal employment policy. Often in these cases, the adjective “racial” is more appropriate than the noun “race.” While the scientific foundation for race is now disputed, racial factors in sociological and historical contexts continue to be relevant.

Usage

What is a basic definition of race? A race is a contest of speed. As a verb, race means to engage in a speed contest or to move very quickly. The word race is also used to mean a group of people that shares certain characteristics. Race has many other senses as a noun and a verb. In a race, two or more people compete to see who can reach a certain location first or who can travel a certain distance faster. A race can be formal, with judges and a crowd, or casual, as with a couple of children running across a yard. A person or thing that participates in a race is a racer.

• Real-life examples: The Daytona 500 is a famous car race. The Olympic Games hosts races on land and in water. Children often have races to see who is fastest.
• Used in a sentence: My brother beat me in the race to the last slice of pizza. 

In this sense, race is used as a verb to mean to take part in a race. Race can also mean either to compete against someone in a speed contest or to enter something in a race.

• Used in a sentence: When Bill was a kid, he liked to race toy cars with his cousins. 

Race can also be used more generally to mean to move very fast.

• Used in a sentence: The puppy raced through the living room and knocked over a chair. 

Race has been used to refer to a group of people who share certain characteristics, such as skin color. However, genetic evidence has proved that such groupings are not a scientific or biological classification for categories of humans. The term is still commonly used to generally refer to groups of people that share a skin color, heritage, origin, culture, or similar characteristics. This sense of race is an arbitrary label that lumps people together and is not scientific.

• Used in a sentence: The 2020 US Census asked questions about gender, income, and race. 

The adjective racial comes from this sense of race, as in racial minority.

Synonym Usage

Race, people, ethnicity, ethnic group, and nation are terms for a large body of persons who may be thought of as a unit because of common characteristics. Race is no longer in technical use as a biological or anthropological system of classification (see usage note). In certain broader or less technical senses, race is sometimes used interchangeably with people. People refers to a body of persons united usually by common interests, ideals, or culture but sometimes also by a common history, or language: We are one people; the peoples of the world; the Swedish people. As with people, members of an ethnicity or ethnic group are united by a shared culture or culture of origin and sometimes shared history, language, or religion, especially in contrast to the culture of a different group: Several ethnicities were represented in the Pride parade. Hostility between ethnic groups divided the region. Nation refers to a current or historical body of persons living under an organized government or rule, occupying a defined area, and acting as a unit in matters of peace and war: the English nation; the Phoenician nation.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antiracing
  adjective
• preracing
  adjective
• proracing
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• racing
  present
• raced
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• race
  simple
• races
  simple
• have raced
  perfect
• has raced
  perfect
• am racing
  progressive
• are racing
  progressive
• is racing
  progressive
• have been racing
  perfect progressive
• has been racing
  perfect progressive

Past

• raced
  simple
• had raced
  perfect
• was racing
  progressive
• were racing
  progressive
• had been racing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will race
  simple
• will have raced
  perfect
• will be racing
  progressive
• will have been racing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of race¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun ras(e) “(forward) course, current; onslaught, charge,” from Old Norse rās “a running, race” (cognate with Old English rǣs “a running, race, rush”); verb derivative of the noun

Origin of race²

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Middle French race “group of people of common descent,” from Italian razza “kind, species”; further origin uncertain

Origin of race³

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French rais, raiz from Latin rādīc- (stem of rādīx ) “root, lower part”; see origin at root ¹

Explanation

Race means to speed or move quickly. A race is a contest to see who is moving the quickest. Race can also mean genetic grouping––if you are reading this, chances are you're a member of the "human race." After watching an exciting horse race, your heart may be racing, meaning your pulse is moving fast. You may find yourself racing through your day if you have too much to do, or you might race a friend home from school to see which is fastest, walking or taking the bus. On a form that asks you your race, you will often be prompted with racial categories, such as Caucasian, African-American, or Native American.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

race Race races raced racing

I planned on having a conversation with Corey following the race.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

In the race to come up with newer and better weight-loss drugs, Eli Lilly appears to have found a powerful combination.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026

For now, America is leading the global race for AI leadership.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

Four others from the Bryant pit crew were also fined and put on probation because of their participation in a separate altercation after the conclusion of the second heat race at Martinsville.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

We were running twenty-first and twenty-second in the race.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Appeared in the September 29, 2026, print edition as 'Florida’s Odd Race Preference Defense'.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Appeared in the September 15, 2026, print edition as 'Justice, Berkeley and the Race Proxies'.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

Shalini helped conceive a newsroom project exploring the far-reaching ramifications of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

BBC News spoke to Bailey, screenwriters, TV critics and former Drag Race contestants about the move and what it means for on-screen representation.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

There was a decent effort at New York’s Jamaica Race Track, then a modest allowance win at Narragansett Park.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Heim, 24, often races cars for 23XI Racing, owned by Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan, and will drive for the team full-time next year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

Asian students had the highest scores, followed by people of two or more races, white students, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, Latinos and Black students.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026

Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar completed the podium on his return after missing three races with a broken wrist.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

As of the last House races for the congressional term starting in 2025, Missouri has six Republican and two Democratic representatives.

From Slate ● Sep. 29, 2026

An Irish workman grabs a horse and races ahead for the doctor while the ox cart ambulance rumbles slowly down the half-mile to Cavendish.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

Buttler raced to 67 not out before injuring his hamstring against Sri Lanka at Headingley.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

Some convenience stores had empty shelves over the weekend as residents raced to buy essentials.

From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026

My mind shifted into the gear of fear as I mentally raced over the edge of a pitch-black cliff.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

Loadings at the Egyptian port of Sidi Kerir, about 20 miles west of Alexandria, picked up as Saudi Arabia raced to offer its oil to buyers mostly from Asia.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026

I was the only student in school who owned a dog team, but in the town there were dozens, and most of them raced on Saturdays.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Amazon and other big tech companies are racing to secure energy for newly built data centers that will power AI and can guzzle as much electricity as a midsize city.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

Lapcevich issued a statement Tuesday condemning the actions of his racing team.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

"Our outstanding elite women's wheelchair field will begin the action just ahead of them, creating a true celebration of women's marathon racing," Brasher added.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

Organisers are now racing to get the converted baseball field at Korogi Athletic Park ready in time.

From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026

That thought sent terror racing down my spine as I remembered that I was in the heart of a very big mountain.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• bolt
• chase
• compete
• contest
• dart
• dash
• fly
• gallop
• hurry
• hustle
• rush
• scamper
• scramble
• shoot
• sprint
• tear