First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1track
noun \ˈtrak\
: a mark left on the ground by a moving animal, person, or vehicle
: a path or trail that is made by people or animals walking through a field, forest, etc.
: a pair of metal bars that a train, trolley, or subway car rides along
Full Definition of TRACK
1
a : detectable evidence (as the wake of a ship, a line of footprints, or a wheel rut) that something has passed b : a path made by or as if by repeated footfalls : trail c : a course laid out especially for racing d : the parallel rails of a railroad e (1) : one of a series of parallel or concentric paths along which material (as music or information) is recorded (as on a phonograph record or magnetic tape) (2) : a group of grooves on a phonograph record containing recorded sound (3) : material recorded especially on or as if on a track <a laugh track> <instrumental tracks> <a bonus commentary track on a DVD> f : a usually metal way (as a groove) serving as a guide (as for a movable lighting fixture)
2
: a footprint whether recent or fossil <the huge track of a dinosaur>
3
a : the course along which something moves or progresses b : a way of life, conduct, or action c : one of several curricula of study to which students are assigned according to their needs or levels of ability d : the projection on the earth's surface of the path along which something (as a missile or an airplane) has flown
4
a : a sequence of events : a train of ideas : succession b : an awareness of a fact, progression, or condition <keep track of the costs> <lose track of the time>
5
a : the width of a wheeled vehicle from wheel to wheel and usually from the outside of the rims b : the tread of an automobile tire c : either of two endless belts on which a tracklaying vehicle travels
6
: track-and-field sports; especially : those performed on a running track
— track·less \ˈtrak-ləs\ adjective
— in one's tracks
: where one stands or is at the moment : on the spot <was stopped in his tracks>
— on track
: achieving or doing what is necessary or expected
See track defined for English-language learners
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Origin of TRACK
Middle English trak, from Middle French trac
Synonym Discussion of TRACK
trace, vestige, track mean a perceptible sign made by something that has passed. trace may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect <the killer left no traces>. vestige applies to a tangible reminder such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone <boulders that are vestiges of the last ice age>. track implies a continuous line that can be followed <the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs>.
2track
verb
: to follow and try to find (an animal) by looking for its tracks and other signs that show where it has gone
: to follow and find (someone or something) especially by looking at evidence
: to follow or watch the path of (something)
Full Definition of TRACK
transitive verb1
2
a : to follow by vestiges : trace b : to observe or plot the moving path of (as a spacecraft or missile) often instrumentally
3
: to travel over : traverse <track a desert>
4
a : to make tracks upon b : to carry (as mud) on the feet and deposit
5
: to keep track of (as a trend) : follow
intransitive verb
1
: travel <a comet tracking eastward>
2
a of a phonograph needle : to follow the groove undulations of a recording b of a pair of wheels (1) : to maintain a constant distance apart on the straightaway (2) : to fit a track or rails c of a rear wheel of a vehicle : to follow accurately the corresponding fore wheel on a straightaway
3
: to leave tracks (as on a floor)
— track·er noun
See track defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TRACK
1565
TRACKER Defined for Kids
1track
noun \ˈtrak\
Definition of TRACK for Kids
1
: a mark left by something that has gone by <rabbit tracks>
3
: the rails of a railroad
4
: a course laid out for racing
5
: awareness of things or of the order in which things happen or ideas come <I've lost track of the time.> <Keep track of your expenses.>
6
: either of two endless metal belts on which a vehicle (as a tank) travels
7
: track-and-field sports
2track
verb
trackedtrack·ing
Definition of TRACK for Kids
1
: to follow the marks or traces of : to search for someone or something
2
: to bring indoors on the bottom of the shoes, feet, or paws <Don't track mud into the house.>
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