Race

Definition

The term "race" can refer to a competition of speed between participants, a group of people sharing common physical or cultural traits, or a rapid progress of events or actions.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /reɪs/
• Respelling: RAYS

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /reɪs/
• Respelling: RAYS

Etymology

The word "race" originates from the Old Norse "ras," meaning "a running or rushing," and later adapted by Italian "razza" to refer to a lineage or breed. It entered Middle English via Old French "raz," maintaining its dual meanings of competition and group classification.

Derivatives

• Racer (noun)
• Racing (noun/verb)
• Racecourse (noun)
• Raceway (noun)
• Racegoer (noun)

Synonyms

• Competition
• Ethnicity
• Rush

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The noun "race" is used in contexts ranging from sports to sociology. For example: "The marathon is a challenging race," or "They belong to the same race of people." The verb "race" describes the act of moving rapidly or competing, e.g., "She will race in the finals."

Related Terms

• Contest: A competitive event.
• Lineage: A person's ancestry or heritage.
• Pace: The speed at which something moves.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A competition of speed: Refers to an event where participants strive to be the fastest.
  • Example: "The annual car race attracts thousands of fans."
• A group of people sharing physical or cultural traits: Refers to a classification of humans based on shared characteristics.
  • Example: "The concept of race has evolved over time."
• A rapid progression of events or actions: Describes the hurried nature of a situation or task.
  • Example: "The race to meet the deadline was intense."

Verb

• To compete in speed: Refers to the act of striving to be the fastest in a contest.
  • Example: "The cyclists will race along the mountain trail."
• To move rapidly or hurriedly: Describes quick or urgent motion.
  • Example: "The car raced down the highway."