race

race · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A competition between runners, horses, vehicles, etc. to see which is the fastest.

  2. 2.

    A strong current flowing through a narrow channel.

  3. 3.

    Each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics.

  4. 4.

    A group of people sharing common ancestry or culture.

  5. 5.

    A competition to achieve something.

  6. 6.

    Compete with another to see who is fastest.

  7. 7.

    Move or progress swiftly.

Forms

plural: races

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    race against time — Try to do something before a deadline.
  • •
    rat race — A competitive struggle to get ahead.
  • •
    human race — All of humanity.
  • •
    race relations — Relations between different racial groups.
  • •
    arms race — Competition between nations to develop weapons.

Related words

See also: competition, contest, ethnicity, run
Synonyms: competition, contest, ethnicity

Etymology

For the competition sense: from Old Norse rás ("a running, race"). For the ethnicity sense: from Italian razza ("race, lineage").