space race

American  

[speys reys] / ˈspeɪs ˌreɪs /

noun

1. a Cold War rivalry in which the United States and the Soviet Union competed for primacy in space exploration, beginning with the Soviet launch of the artificial satellite Sputnik I on October 4, 1957, and effectively ending with the moon landing of the U.S. manned module Eagle on July 20, 1969.

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Etymology

Origin of space race

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

space race

It was the soundtrack of the Cold War and the space race.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

It would also keep the United States ahead of China in a renewed space race.

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026

Rocket Lab gives investors another way to play the space race.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

Those budget cuts have Mirmina questioning the U.S.’s chances of winning the new space race and retaining highly knowledgeable personnel.

From Salon ● Apr. 9, 2026

I wasn’t into the space race, but there was no way I’d miss the moon landing.

From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia