relay race: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal / General
Quick answer
What does “relay race” mean?
A track and field event in which a team of runners each completes a portion of the total distance, passing a baton to the next runner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A track and field event in which a team of runners each completes a portion of the total distance, passing a baton to the next runner.
More broadly, any team-based competition or activity where successive participants perform a segment of a task, passing an object or information to continue the sequence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'relay race'. Spelling follows regional norms (e.g., 'metre' vs. 'meter' for event names).
Connotations
Identical. Evokes school sports days, Olympic events, and teamwork.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “relay race” in a Sentence
[Team] [verb] the relay raceThe relay race [takes place/consists of] [number] legsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “relay race” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She will relay the final leg of the race.
- They practised how to relay the baton smoothly.
American English
- He will relay the anchor leg.
- We need to relay the information quickly.
adverb
British English
- [Not typically used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not typically used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The relay-race team trained hard.
- He won a relay race medal.
American English
- The relay race finals are tonight.
- She's a relay race specialist.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically: 'The project was a relay race between departments.'
Academic
Describing historical or sociological aspects of sports.
Everyday
Talking about sports events, school activities.
Technical
Precise description of athletics events, rules, and techniques.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “relay race”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “relay race”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “relay race”
- Misspelling as 'relayrace' (should be two words or hyphenated: relay-race).
- Confusing 'relay' (verb: to pass on) with 'relay' (noun: the race).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically four, but variations exist (e.g., 4x100m, 4x400m).
Yes, often to describe any process where work is passed sequentially between team members.
It is standard to write it as two separate words: 'relay race'. Hyphenation ('relay-race') is sometimes seen in compound modifiers.
Dropping the baton or passing it outside the designated exchange zone.
A track and field event in which a team of runners each completes a portion of the total distance, passing a baton to the next runner.
Relay race is usually formal / general in register.
Relay race: in British English it is pronounced /ˈriːleɪ reɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈriːleɪ reɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not commonly idiomatic. The term itself is the specific event name.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of RE-LAY: you LAY down your effort, then the next runner RE-LAYs (does it again). A RACE with RE-lays.
Conceptual Metaphor
COOPERATION IS A RELAY RACE; A PROCESS IS A RELAY RACE (involving sequential hand-offs).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary object passed in a standard relay race?