speed skating: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, sporting, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “speed skating” mean?
A competitive ice skating sport where participants race over set distances, using specialized skates with long blades, focusing on achieving the fastest possible time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A competitive ice skating sport where participants race over set distances, using specialized skates with long blades, focusing on achieving the fastest possible time.
The activity, sport, or competitive event of racing on ice skates over specific distances. Can also refer to the technique and style used in such racing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both refer to the same Olympic sport.
Connotations
Neutral sporting term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equal frequency in sporting contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “speed skating” in a Sentence
[Subject] + compete/take part in + speed skating[Subject] + be good at + speed skating[Subject] + watch/follow + speed skatingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “speed skating” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- She took up speed skating at the local ice centre.
- The Netherlands has a strong tradition in speed skating.
American English
- He won a gold medal in speed skating.
- Speed skating requires immense lower-body strength.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in sports marketing or sponsorship contexts (e.g., 'The brand sponsors national speed skating').
Academic
Used in sports science, kinesiology, or historical studies of winter sports.
Everyday
Used when discussing winter sports, the Olympics, or athletic activities.
Technical
Precise term in sports coaching and competition rules.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “speed skating”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “speed skating”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “speed skating”
- Using 'speed skate' as a verb incorrectly (e.g., 'He speed skates' is acceptable, but 'He speed skated yesterday' is more common than 'He did speed skating yesterday').
- Confusing 'speed skating' (the sport) with 'speed skates' (the equipment).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Speed skating' is the general term. 'Short-track speed skating' is a specific discipline held on a smaller ice rink with multiple skaters racing simultaneously, often involving more tactics and contact.
Not commonly. The activity is expressed as 'to do/go speed skating' or 'to compete in speed skating'. 'To speed skate' is a related verb form (e.g., 'He speed skates'), but the noun form is far more frequent.
Speed skating is a race against the clock or other competitors over a set distance, prioritizing speed and efficiency. Figure skating is a judged sport focused on artistic performance, jumps, spins, and footwork.
Yes, for official long-track competitions, a standard 400m oval ice rink is required. For short-track, a smaller hockey-sized rink with marked tracks is used.
A competitive ice skating sport where participants race over set distances, using specialized skates with long blades, focusing on achieving the fastest possible time.
Speed skating is usually formal, sporting, journalistic in register.
Speed skating: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspiːd ˌskeɪtɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspid ˌskeɪdɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think SPEED = fast, SKATING = on ice. It's skating focused on speed, not artistic performance.
Conceptual Metaphor
RACING ON BLADES (conceptualizing it as a form of terrestrial racing, but on ice with blades).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a direct synonym or subtype of 'speed skating'?