track record

American  

noun

1. a record of achievements or performance.

   an executive with a good track record.

---

track record British  

noun

1. informal the past record of the accomplishments and failures of a person, business, etc

---

track record Idioms  

1. A record of actual performance or achievements, as in This applicant has an excellent track record. This term probably comes from horse racing, where it signifies the best time a horse has ever achieved at a particular track or over a particular distance. However, some believe it alludes to track and field records. Its figurative use dates from the late 1940s.

---

Etymology

Origin of track record

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

De Masi himself has become a frequent expert witness and advisory collaborator for the U.S. government on quantum policy, and IonQ has a track record of collaborating with federal agencies.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

“But I also think that someone’s track record is important, someone’s ability to collaborate and someone’s at least basic understanding of the government and how it works,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Given the narrowness of Meta’s business and its spotty track record broadening it, there is valid worry about its spending on the AI model development race, especially since it remains behind rivals.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

We don’t trade those, for their track record has too many whipsaws.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

I got one and sometimes more than one, but my track record in the survival department is far less admirable than my performance as a jobholder.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich