race meeting
LowSpecialized
Definition
Meaning
An event where multiple races, especially horse races, are held, often including social activities and betting.
Can refer to any scheduled gathering for competitive racing events, such as car races or athletics meetings, though primarily associated with horse racing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a formal or organized event with a schedule of races, and may include elements like prize ceremonies, betting, and social gatherings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'race meeting' is a common term for horse racing events. In American English, it is less common, with 'race day' or 'racing event' often used instead.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes tradition, social etiquette, and gambling culture. In the US, it is more neutral and focused on the sports aspect.
Frequency
Much more frequent in British English than in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
at the race meetingduring the race meetingfor the race meetingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the race meeting of the year”
- “a day at the races”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in event management, sports marketing, and hospitality industries related to racing.
Academic
Rarely used; may appear in sports history or sociology studies.
Everyday
Common in conversations about horse racing, betting, or social events in the UK.
Technical
Standard term in horse racing and equestrian sports terminology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The jockeys will race at the meeting tomorrow.
American English
- They race during the event at the track.
adverb
British English
- He quickly left after the race meeting.
American English
- She eagerly attended the race day.
adjective
British English
- The racing meeting was well-attended.
American English
- The race event had a large crowd.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We went to a race meeting on Saturday.
- The race meeting has many horses.
- The annual race meeting attracts thousands of visitors.
- She placed a bet at the race meeting.
- Organizing a successful race meeting requires careful planning and coordination.
- The race meeting was postponed due to bad weather.
- The socio-economic impact of the Grand National race meeting on Liverpool is significant.
- Critics argue that race meetings perpetuate gambling addiction among vulnerable populations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'race meeting' as a meeting where races are the main agenda, like a business meeting but for races.
Conceptual Metaphor
A race meeting is a theater of competition and social interaction.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation to 'собрание гонок'. Use 'скачки' for horse racing or 'соревнования по бегу' for running races, depending on context.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'race meeting' for any meeting about races, e.g., a planning meeting. It specifically refers to the event where races are held.
- Confusing it with 'race day', which might refer to a single day of racing.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for 'race meeting'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, especially in British English, but it can be extended to other types of racing events, though less commonly.
'Race meeting' refers to the entire event with multiple races, often over one or more days, while 'race day' typically refers to a specific day when races are held.
Yes, but it is less common than in British English; Americans might prefer terms like 'race day' or 'racing event'.
Common activities include watching races, betting, socializing, dining, and attending prize ceremonies.