road racing

American

noun

a competitive event of racing in automobiles, motorcycles, or bicycles over public roads or a twisting course simulating a public road, as opposed to a closed, banked track or a drag strip.

Etymology

Origin of road racing

First recorded in 1900–05

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.

Professional marathoners like 2020 bronze medalist Molly Seidel and 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden, who have moved from road racing to trail running, are leading the charge.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

“As with all major road racing events, our lead vehicles leave the course before approaching the finish line.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

The 31-year-old Van der Poel has world titles in mountain biking and road racing and has not only won stages on the Tour de France, but also worn the leader's yellow jersey.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

The list of road racing specialists entered in this weekend’s race is expansive.

From Washington Times • Aug. 12, 2023

He ran hard along the gravel shoulder of the oil-top road, racing against the knowledge that if anything had happened to his kids or to Naomi, he’d be to blame.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

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