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

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026

Plus: AI for dementia patients, the Bezos-Musk space race, the Mac Mini shortage and more.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 19, 2026

Past installments have seen the hippos found a power company, join the space race and tank the stock market.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 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

Now, at the outset of the space race, leaving the building at ten o’clock would be a good night.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly