speedway: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral, informal for the road sense, specific for the sport.
Quick answer
What does “speedway” mean?
A track for fast motorcycle racing, especially involving a type of lightweight motorcycle without brakes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A track for fast motorcycle racing, especially involving a type of lightweight motorcycle without brakes.
1. A general term for a long, straight, wide road designed for fast traffic (chiefly US). 2. The sport of racing such motorcycles. 3. (by extension) A system or path characterized by high speed, often used metaphorically (e.g., 'information speedway').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, refers almost exclusively to the motorcycle sport or track. In the US, more commonly refers to a major fast road or highway, though this usage is declining.
Connotations
UK: Sport, noise, local events, grassroots motorsport. US: Road trip, fast travel, possibly nostalgic (mid-20th century term).
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK due to the popularity of the sport. In US, the term is less common, with 'highway' or 'freeway' being standard.
Grammar
How to Use “speedway” in a Sentence
[Subject] + race/compete at/on + the speedwayThe speedway + [Location] + hosts + [Event][Noun] + speedway (as in 'state speedway')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “speedway” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The club hopes to speedway again next season.
- He speedwayed for over a decade.
American English
- (Rarely, if ever, used as a verb in US English.)
adverb
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
adjective
British English
- Speedway racing is thrilling.
- He's a speedway champion.
American English
- We took the speedway route to the coast.
- (Attributive use of the road noun)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could appear in sponsorship contexts: 'The company sponsored the local speedway team.'
Academic
Rare, except in studies of sports history or urban planning (US road sense).
Everyday
Common in UK for discussing sport; in US, an older person might say 'We drove down the old speedway.'
Technical
Used in motorsport contexts for a specific type of track and motorcycle class.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “speedway”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “speedway”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “speedway”
- Using 'speedway' for any racetrack (e.g., Formula 1). It's specific. Using the UK sense in the US without context may cause confusion.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Speedway is on short, flat, oval dirt or shale tracks with special bikes. Motocross is on rough, off-road, hilly circuits with different motorcycles.
In contemporary US English, it's understood but sounds dated or poetic. Words like 'highway', 'freeway', or 'expressway' are more common. In UK English, it would be confusing.
Primarily a noun. It can be used as a verb within the sporting community ('to speedway'), but this is jargon and not standard general English.
The meaning differs by dialect. In the UK/Europe, think SPORT. In the US, think (old) ROAD. Always check the context.
A track for fast motorcycle racing, especially involving a type of lightweight motorcycle without brakes.
Speedway is usually neutral, informal for the road sense, specific for the sport. in register.
Speedway: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspiːd.weɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspiːd.weɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the speedway to success”
- “Life in the fast lane (related concept, not using the word)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SPEED + WAY = a way/path for speed. Motorbikes speed their way around the track.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTROLLED PATH FOR RAPID TRANSIT (can be applied to information, traffic, careers).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the LEAST likely meaning of 'speedway' in modern American English?