speed skating

American  

Or speedskating

noun

1. ice skating as a form of racing, usually on an oval course and against other competitors or the clock.

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speed skating British  

noun

1. a form of ice skating in which contestants race against each other or the clock over various distances

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Other Word Forms

• speed skater
  noun
• speedskater
  noun

Etymology

Origin of speed skating

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

It was a magnificent full-circle - or full-oval speed skating track – moment for Fontana.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

So the wait goes on for Team GB for a first speed skating medal.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

As Niall Treacy skidded out of the men's 500m heats on Monday morning, British hopes at the short track speed skating were finally put out of their misery.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

Dutch speed skating star Jutta Leerdam was pipped to her second gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics by her teammate Femke Kok in a thrilling 500 metres contest on Sunday.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

In the second half of the 19th century the Fen country acquired a certain celebrity in the world of sport from the encouragement it gave to speed skating.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2 "Fairbanks, Erastus" to "Fens" by Various