america's cup: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical, Media
Quick answer
What does “america's cup” mean?
The oldest international sailing competition, a prestigious yacht racing trophy contested in match racing between yachts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The oldest international sailing competition, a prestigious yacht racing trophy contested in match racing between yachts.
A trophy and event representing the pinnacle of competitive sailing technology, strategy, and sportsmanship, often generating significant media attention and national pride for competing nations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in reference to the event itself. British media may use 'sailing' where American media uses 'yachting' in general coverage.
Connotations
Associated with elite sport, cutting-edge technology, and significant financial investment in both dialects.
Frequency
Frequency spikes dramatically during event years (every 3-4 years) in sailing nations like the UK, USA, New Zealand, and Australia.
Grammar
How to Use “america's cup” in a Sentence
[Team/Country] won the America's Cup.The America's Cup is held in [location].[Team] is challenging for the America's Cup.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “america's cup” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team hopes to challenge for the Cup next cycle.
- They were utterly out-sailed in the America's Cup finals.
American English
- The syndicate is campaigning to win the Cup back.
- They got defeated in the America's Cup match.
adjective
British English
- The America's Cup campaign required immense funding.
- He is a veteran America's Cup sailor.
American English
- The America's Cup competition is fiercely competitive.
- She landed an America's Cup design role.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to sponsorship opportunities, team budgets, and economic impact on host cities.
Academic
Studied in sports history, maritime engineering, and the sociology of elite competition.
Everyday
Discussed by sports fans, particularly during the competition period.
Technical
Involves specific terminology related to match racing rules, yacht design (AC75 class), and hydrodynamics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “america's cup”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “america's cup”
- Writing 'American Cup' (incorrect - it's the possessive 'America's').
- Using lowercase ('america's cup').
- Treating it as a generic term for any sailing trophy.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is named after the first yacht to win the trophy, the 'America', in 1851. The trophy was originally named the 'Royal Yacht Squadron £100 Cup'.
It is held irregularly, typically every 3 to 4 years, as the defending champion syndicate negotiates the timing and rules with challengers.
Yes, any yacht club that meets the challenge requirements set by the defending club and the event's governing body (currently the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron) can compete.
It is a colloquial nickname for the America's Cup trophy itself, used particularly in historical contexts or by sailing enthusiasts.
The oldest international sailing competition, a prestigious yacht racing trophy contested in match racing between yachts.
America's cup is usually formal, technical, media in register.
America's cup: in British English it is pronounced /əˈmɛr.ɪ.kəz kʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈmɛr.ə.kəz kʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the most famous 'cup' in sailing, named after the first winning yacht, 'America'. It's not just any cup; it's *America's* Cup.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE AMERICA'S CUP IS A HOLY GRAIL (a long-sought, prestigious, and elusive prize in the sailing world).
Practice
Quiz
What is the America's Cup?