race Definition

race¹
noun

1. A contest of speed between runners, horses, cars, etc.

Thesaurus: competition, contest, derby, sprint, scramble, chase, pursuit, quest.
2. A series of such contests over a fixed course, especially for horses or dogs.

Example: a day at the races
Form: the races (usually)
3. Any contest or rivalry, especially to be the first to do or get something.

Example: the arms race
4. A fixed course, track or path over which anything runs.
5. A strong or rapid current of water in the sea or a river.
6. A channel conveying water to and from a mill wheel.
7. A groove in which something, eg a ball-bearing, moves or slides.
8. A regular traverse of a fixed course, eg of the sun.

verb raced, racing

intr
1. To take part in a race.

Thesaurus: contend, vie, compete.
2. To have a race with someone.
3. To cause (a horse, car, etc) to race.
intr
4. To run or move quickly and energetically.

Thesaurus: run, speed, hurry, dash, tear, chase, sprint, scamper, hasten, fly, hie.
Form: race about (usually)
Form: race along
Form: race around
intr
5. Said of eg an engine or a propeller: to run wildly fast when resistance is removed.
tr & intr
6. To move or make something move more quickly than usual.
intr
7. To own racehorses, or watch horse-racing as a hobby.

Derivative: racer

See separate entry.

Derivative: racing
noun

The sport or practice of using animals (especially horses or dogs) or vehicles in contests of speed. Also as adj.
Example: racing car
Example: racing pigeon

Etymology: 13c: from Norse ras.

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race²
noun

1. Any of the major divisions of humankind distinguished by a particular set of physical characteristics, such as size, hair type or skin colour.

Thesaurus: ancestry, descent, lineage, blood, kindred, people, stock, strain, clan, tribe, house, issue, progeny.
2. A tribe, nation or similar group of people thought of as distinct from others.
3. Human beings as a group.

Form: the human race
4. A group of animals or plants within a species, which have characteristics distinguishing them from other members of that species.
5. Said of wine: the special flavour by which its origin may be recognized.

Etymology: 16c: French, from Italian razza.