races
/ˈreɪsɪz/
NOUN
1. Competitive contests
Contests in which people, animals, or vehicles compete to reach a finish line or achieve an objective before others.
1.1. Athletic and sporting competitions
Organized competitions involving running, swimming, cycling, or other physical activities in which participants compete for the best result.
Synonyms
- competitions
- contests
- events
- meets
- heats
Examples
- The annual races attract athletes from across the country.
- Several international competitions are scheduled for the summer.
Related Words
- tournaments
- championships
- marathons
- relays
- derbies
1.2. Horse and animal competitions
Competitions in which horses or other animals run against one another to determine which finishes first.
Synonyms
- horse races
- derbies
- contests
Examples
- The horse races attracted thousands of spectators.
- Several derbies take place at the track each year.
Related Words
- steeplechases
- gymkhanas
- heats
1.3. Vehicle and boat competitions
Competitive events in which cars, motorcycles, boats, or other vehicles attempt to complete a course faster than their opponents.
Synonyms
- competitions
- contests
- events
Examples
- The car races drew large crowds to the circuit.
- Sailboat competitions continued despite the strong wind.
Related Words
- rallies
- motor sports
- regattas
- time trials
NOUN
2. Rapid movement or high-speed travel
Instances of moving, driving, or traveling quickly, often with urgency or at great speed.
2.1. Moving at high speed
Rapid movements by people, animals, or vehicles, especially when they hurry or travel at considerable speed.
Synonyms
- dashes
- rushes
- sprints
- bursts
- charges
- flights
Antonyms
- ambles
- crawls
- creeps
- saunters
Examples
- The sudden races down the hallway startled everyone.
- The cars' rapid dashes along the highway caused concern.
Related Words
- speed
- haste
- acceleration
- momentum
2.2. Urgent progress toward a destination
Quick journeys or movements made to reach a particular place or accomplish something within a limited time.
Synonyms
- rushes
- dashings
- hurries
- sprints
Antonyms
Examples
- Their races to catch the last train became a daily routine.
- The repeated rushes to the emergency room exhausted the family.
Related Words
- haste
- urgency
- pursuit
- hasteful movement
NOUN
3. Progressive movement toward a goal
Competitive or determined efforts to achieve an objective, gain an advantage, or reach a particular result.
3.1. Competition to achieve an objective
Parallel efforts by individuals, organizations, or groups to reach a goal before others or gain a competitive advantage.
Synonyms
- competitions
- rivalries
- contests
- rivalries
- struggles
Examples
- The races to develop new technology intensified.
- Several companies are involved in fierce competitions for market share.
Related Words
- rivalry
- pursuit
- challenge
- competition
3.2. Competition for control or resources
Struggles among competing parties to obtain power, influence, territory, or valuable resources.
Synonyms
- struggles
- rivalries
- contests
- battles
Examples
- The races for political influence became increasingly intense.
- The rivalries between the groups lasted for decades.
Related Words
- conflicts
- contention
- engagements
- power struggles
NOUN
4. Fast-moving water
Strong or rapid currents of water, particularly those used to drive machinery or flow through a natural or artificial channel.
4.1. Rapid water currents
Fast-flowing streams or currents of water, especially those with enough force to power a waterwheel or other machinery.
Synonyms
- currents
- streams
- flows
- rills
- rivulets
Examples
- The races of water powered the old mill.
- Strong currents flowed through the narrow channel.
Related Words
- watercourse
- rapids
- millstream
- water flow
4.2. Artificial water channels
Channels constructed to direct water toward or away from a mill, turbine, or other place where the water is used.
Synonyms
- channels
- watercourses
- conduits
- raceways
Examples
- The mill races carried water toward the wheels.
- Workers cleaned the channels before the mill reopened.
Related Words
- millrace
- flume
- waterway
- sluice
NOUN
5. Rolling-element bearing components
The inner or outer rings of a rolling-element bearing that provide the surfaces on which balls or rollers move.
5.1. Bearing running surfaces
Precision-machined rings or tracks in a bearing that contact and guide its rolling elements.
Synonyms
- bearing rings
- bearing tracks
- raceways
Examples
- The bearing races showed signs of wear.
- The technician inspected the bearing tracks for damage.
Related Words
- inner race
- outer race
- rolling elements
- ball bearings
NOUN
6. Human populations and ancestry groups
Groups of people classified by shared ancestry, heritage, or historically defined physical characteristics.
6.1. Human racial groups
Groups of people described by socially or historically constructed racial classifications.
Synonyms
- racial groups
- ethnic groups
- populations
Examples
- The study examined health outcomes among different races.
- The policy affected people from several racial groups.
Related Words
- ethnicities
- ancestries
- communities
- heritages
NOUN
7. Animal breeds and biological populations
Distinct populations, breeds, or strains within a species that share inherited characteristics or have developed differences through breeding or geographic separation.
7.1. Animal breeds and strains
Recognized varieties of domesticated animals distinguished by inherited traits, appearance, or breeding history.
Synonyms
- breeds
- strains
- varieties
Examples
- The farm raises several races of sheep.
- Different breeds of cattle are kept for different purposes.
Related Words
- bloodlines
- lineages
- pedigrees
- stock
7.2. Geographically distinct populations
Populations within a species that have developed distinguishing characteristics through geographic separation or adaptation.
Synonyms
- populations
- subspecies
- varieties
Examples
- Researchers compared different races within the species.
- The isolated populations developed distinct characteristics.
Related Words
- lineages
- strains
- genetic groups
NOUN
8. Categories or types of things
Distinct kinds, classes, or varieties of things that share certain characteristics or have developed from earlier forms.
8.1. Kinds and categories
Different classes or varieties of objects, ideas, or entities distinguished by their characteristics.
Synonyms
- types
- kinds
- categories
- varieties
- classes
Examples
- The museum displays several races of ancient pottery.
- The collection includes different types of ceramic objects.
Related Words
- groups
- forms
- species
- sorts
NOUN
9. Characteristic qualities or dispositions
Distinctive qualities, characteristics, or dispositions that identify the nature or origin of something.
9.1. Distinctive character or disposition
The particular nature, temperament, or combination of qualities that distinguishes a person or thing.
Synonyms
- qualities
- characteristics
- traits
- dispositions
Examples
- The different races of wine were recognized by their distinctive qualities.
- The wines displayed varied characteristics depending on their origins.
Related Words
- nature
- temperament
- character
- attributes
NOUN
10. Flavors and strengths
Distinctive flavors, tastes, or degrees of strength that indicate the origin or character of a substance, especially wine.
10.1. Distinctive taste and flavor
The characteristic flavor or strength that distinguishes one wine or other substance from another.
Synonyms
- flavors
- tastes
- bouquets
- characteristics
Examples
- The wines displayed different races of flavor.
- Each variety had a distinctive taste and aroma.
Related Words
NOUN
11. Rhizomes and roots
Roots or underground stems, particularly those of ginger, used as food or for medicinal and culinary purposes.
11.1. Ginger roots and rhizomes
Underground stems or root-like structures of ginger plants, often used in cooking.
Synonyms
- rhizomes
- ginger roots
Examples
- The market sold several races of ginger.
- The cook selected fresh ginger rhizomes for the recipe.
Related Words
- ginger
- rootstock
- underground stems
VERB
12. Taking part in a competition
Participating in a contest or organized race in which competitors attempt to achieve the best result.
12.1. Competing in a sporting event
Taking part in an organized race or contest against other competitors.
Synonyms
- competes
- contends
- participates
Examples
- The athletes race in several events each year.
- The athletes compete in several events each year.
Related Words
- enters
- vies
- challenges
- runs
12.2. Competing against an opponent
Taking part in a race against another person, team, or vehicle.
Synonyms
- competes against
- contends against
- challenges
Examples
- The two teams race against each other for the title.
- The two teams compete against each other for the title.
Related Words
VERB
13. Moving or driving rapidly
Moving, traveling, or driving at high speed, often with urgency.
13.1. Hurrying or speeding
Moving quickly toward a destination or increasing speed to get somewhere sooner.
Synonyms
- hurries
- rushes
- speeds
- hastens
- accelerates
Antonyms
- ambles
- dawdles
- slows
Examples
- The cars race down the track.
- The cars speed down the track.
Related Words
13.2. Moving swiftly toward a target
Advancing rapidly toward a person, place, or objective.
Synonyms
- rushes
- charges
- dashes
- hurtles
Antonyms
- lingers
- loiters
- strolls
Examples
- The children race toward the playground.
- The children rush toward the playground.
Related Words
- surges
- shoots
- bolts
- speeds
VERB
14. Running a motor at high speed
Operating an engine at high revolutions, especially when it is not connected to a transmission or load.
14.1. Revving an engine
Making a motor run rapidly, often by increasing its revolutions while the vehicle remains stationary or disengaged.
Synonyms
- revves
- accelerates
- speeds up
Antonyms
- idles
- slows down
Examples
- The drivers race their engines before the start.
- The drivers rev their engines before the start.
Related Words
- engine speed
- throttle
- revolutions
- motor
VERB
15. Assigning or identifying racial classification
Classifying or perceiving a person as belonging to a particular racial group.
15.1. Classifying people by race
Assigning a racial category to a person or identifying someone as belonging to a particular racial group.
Synonyms
- classifies by race
- categorizes racially
- racially classifies
Examples
- The survey races participants according to their self-identification.
- The survey classifies participants according to their self-identification.
Related Words
- identifies
- categorizes
- classifies
- labels
VERB
16. Demolishing or leveling
Destroying a structure or reducing it to the ground.
16.1. Destroying a building or structure
Demolishing a structure completely or removing it down to ground level.
Synonyms
Examples
- The construction crew races the old building before redevelopment.
- The construction crew demolishes the old building before redevelopment.
Related Words
- tears down
- dismantles
- wrecks
VERB
17. Scraping with a razor-like tool
Scraping or cutting a surface as though using a razor.
17.1. Scraping a surface
Removing material from a surface through a scraping action resembling the use of a razor.
Synonyms
Examples
- The tool races the surface to remove the residue.
- The tool scrapes the surface to remove the residue.
Related Words
- abrades
- shaves off
- scrapes away