First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1race
noun \ˈrās\
Definition of RACE
1
chiefly Scottish : the act of running
2
a : a strong or rapid current of water flowing through a narrow channel b : a watercourse used industrially c : the current flowing in such a course
3
a : a set course or duration of time b : the course of life
4
a : a contest of speed b plural : a meeting in which several races (as for horses) are run c : a contest or rivalry involving progress toward a goal <pennant race>
5
: a track or channel in which something rolls or slides; specifically : a groove (as for the balls) in a bearing — see roller bearing illustration
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Origin of RACE
Middle English ras, from Old Norse rās; akin to Old English rǣs rush
2race
verb
: to compete in a race
: to compete in a race against (someone)
: to drive or ride (something) in a race
racedrac·ing
Full Definition of RACE
intransitive verb
1
: to compete in a race
2
: to go, move, or function at top speed or out of control <people racing for safety> <struggled to sleep as his mind raced>
3
: to revolve too fast under a diminished load
transitive verb
1
: to engage in a race with
2
a : to enter in a race b : to drive or ride at high speed c : to transport or propel at maximum speed
3
: to speed (as an engine) without a working load or with the transmission disengaged
See race defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of RACE
15th century
3race
noun
Definition of RACE
1
: a breeding stock of animals
2
a : a family, tribe, people, or nation belonging to the same stock b : a class or kind of people unified by shared interests, habits, or characteristics
3
a : an actually or potentially interbreeding group within a species; also : a taxonomic category (as a subspecies) representing such a group b : breed c : a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits
4
obsolete : inherited temperament or disposition
5
: distinctive flavor, taste, or strength
Origin of RACE
Middle French, generation, from Old Italian razza
First Known Use: 1580
Other Genetics Terms
RACE Defined for Kids
1race
verb \ˈrās\
racedrac·ing
Definition of RACE for Kids
1
: to go, move, function, or drive at top speed <I looked up and saw black clouds racing off … — Jon Scieszka, The Good, the Bad, and the Goofy>
2
: to take part in a contest of speed
3
: to cause an engine of a motor vehicle in neutral to run fast
2race
noun
Definition of RACE for Kids
1
: a contest of speed
2
: a contest involving progress toward a goal <the race for mayor>
3
: a strong or rapid current of water
3race
noun
Definition of RACE for Kids
1
: any one of the groups that human beings can be divided into based on shared distinctive physical traits
2
: a group of individuals who share a common culture or history <the English race>
3
: a major group of living things <the human race>
Medical Dictionary
race
noun \ˈrās\
Medical Definition of RACE
1
a : an actually or potentially interbreeding group within a species; also : a taxonomic category (as a subspecies) representing such a group b : breed
2
: a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits
Learn More About RACE
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