regatta

American  

[ri-gat-uh, -gah-tuh] / rɪˈgæt ə, -ˈgɑ tə /

noun

1. a boat race, as of rowboats, yachts, or other vessels.

2. an organized series of such races.

3. (originally) a gondola race in Venice.

4. a strong, striped cotton fabric that is of twill weave.

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regatta British  

/ rɪˈɡætə /

noun

1. an organized series of races of yachts, rowing boats, etc

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Etymology

Origin of regatta

1645–55; < Upper Italian ( Venetian ) regatta, regata, perhaps ≪ Vulgar Latin *recaptāre to contend, equivalent to *re- re- + *captāre to try to seize; see catch

Explanation

A regatta is an organized series of boat races. In a regatta, yachts or sailboats usually participate, but some regattas focus on rowboats or powerboats. In the 1650s, regatta related to a boat race among gondoliers, held on the Grand Canal in Venice. The Italian word regatta means "contention for mastery" and comes from the Latin word regattare, or "to compete, haggle, sell at retail." Regatta came to specifically mean "boat race" — and the many social events related to it — in the late 1700s.

Example Sentences

Lost Bay Regatta is a local, multi-class sailing regatta held the first Saturday in October on Perdido Bay, the dividing line between Alabama and Florida.

From Salon • Oct. 10, 2024

The regatta was last held in 2019, when 46 hot-air balloons launched from Battersea Park at 05:30 BST and floated through the skies across central London.

From BBC • Jul. 21, 2024

“On April 20th, at a youth rowing regatta, an incident occurred that is currently being investigated by West Sacramento PD,” the statement reads in part.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2024

It was so hot out when 14-year-old Adi Vannice arrived for a sailing regatta at Leschi Marina Saturday morning that she decided to forgo the wet suit she usually wore.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 20, 2024

“Pete says there’s a regatta going on. We could watch the boats, catch some fresh air, the sunset, grab dinner after?”

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin