road race: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal to neutral in sporting contexts; neutral in extended metaphors.
Quick answer
What does “road race” mean?
A sporting event where competitors, typically cyclists or runners, race against each other on public roads rather than on a track or closed circuit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sporting event where competitors, typically cyclists or runners, race against each other on public roads rather than on a track or closed circuit.
Can refer to any competitive event held on roads, including motorsport events, cross-country skiing on roads, or marathon running. In a business/tech metaphor, it can imply intense competition in a marketplace or industry.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. In UK motorsport contexts, 'road race' might less commonly refer to races on temporary street circuits, which are often just called 'street circuits'. In the US, 'road race' in running/cycling is a very standard term.
Connotations
In the UK, strongly associated with professional cycling (e.g., Tour of Britain stages) and marathon running. In the US, equally associated with cycling, running, and motorsport (e.g., IndyCar road courses).
Frequency
High frequency in sports journalism and event listings in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “road race” in a Sentence
[verb] a road race (enter, win, organise)the road race [verb] (took place, was cancelled, covered)road race for [participants] (for amateurs, for veterans)road race through [location] (through the mountains, through the city)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “road race” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Yorkshire road race was cancelled due to ice on the route.
- She's a specialist in one-day road races.
American English
- The Boston Marathon is a famous road race for runners.
- He won his first professional road race in Arizona.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The two companies are in a road race for market dominance in electric vehicles.'
Academic
Used in sports science, urban planning (impact of events), and transport studies.
Everyday
Discussing sporting events on TV or local community events: 'Are you running in the 10k road race this Sunday?'
Technical
Precise terminology in sporting regulations defining course type, safety protocols, and vehicle specifications (in motorsport).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “road race”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “road race”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “road race”
- Using 'road race' for any race involving vehicles (e.g., Formula 1 is primarily circuit racing, not typically called a road race). Confusing with 'street race', which can imply illegal racing. Capitalising it incorrectly when not part of a proper event name (e.g., 'the London road race' vs. 'The London Road Race').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A marathon is a specific long-distance running event (42.195 km). A marathon is a *type* of road race if it is run on roads. However, 'road race' is the broader category, which also includes shorter running events and cycling races.
Yes, the term is used in motorsport (e.g., the Isle of Man TT, some historic events). However, most modern professional car racing on paved surfaces is called 'circuit racing' or 'street circuit racing'. 'Road race' in motorsport often implies a course made of closed public roads.
The surface and course. A road race is primarily on paved or tarmac public roads (even if closed for the event). A trail race is on unpaved, natural paths through countryside, forests, or mountains.
Because it requires coordinating with local authorities to close public roads, ensuring safety for both participants and the public over a larger area, and managing traffic disruption. It involves more complex logistics, permits, and often greater costs.
A sporting event where competitors, typically cyclists or runners, race against each other on public roads rather than on a track or closed circuit.
Road race is usually formal to neutral in sporting contexts; neutral in extended metaphors. in register.
Road race: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrəʊd ˌreɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈroʊd ˌreɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a road race to the top. (metaphorical)”
- “The project turned into a road race against the clock.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ROAD' as the surface and 'RACE' as the action. It's a race on a road, not a track.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPETITION IS A RACE; THE MARKET/INDUSTRY IS A ROAD (a long, open path with potential obstacles).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be described as a 'road race' in a standard sporting context?