tour-de-france: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal in sports journalism; informal in everyday conversation about sports.
Quick answer
What does “tour-de-france” mean?
The annual men's multiple-stage bicycle race held primarily in France, renowned as one of the most prestigious cycling events globally.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The annual men's multiple-stage bicycle race held primarily in France, renowned as one of the most prestigious cycling events globally.
Metaphorically, any extremely challenging or prestigious competition or endeavor, often implying endurance, high stakes, and international recognition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Pronunciation varies slightly; British English often uses a more French-like pronunciation, while American English may anglicize it. Spelling typically remains the same.
Connotations
Similar in both variants, conveying prestige, athleticism, and cultural significance.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English due to closer geographical and cultural proximity to France.
Grammar
How to Use “tour-de-france” in a Sentence
the tour-de-france is held annuallyparticipate in the tour-de-francefollow the tour-de-franceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tour-de-france” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- tour-de-france jersey
- tour-de-france legacy
American English
- tour-de-france route
- tour-de-france winner
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Sponsorship and advertising during the tour-de-france generate significant revenue.
Academic
Research on aerodynamics in tour-de-france cycling informs sports science.
Everyday
We watched the tour-de-france highlights on TV last night.
Technical
The tour-de-france includes time trials, mountain stages, and sprint finishes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tour-de-france”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tour-de-france”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tour-de-france”
- Misspelling as 'Tour de France' without hyphens in English contexts.
- Mispronouncing 'France' with the wrong vowel sound, e.g., /fræns/ in British English or /frɑːns/ in American English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It refers to the annual men's multiple-stage bicycle race held primarily in France, known for its prestige and difficulty.
Yes, it is a professional event part of the UCI World Tour, though amateur races may be inspired by it.
It started in 1903 and has been held annually, except during disruptions like the World Wars.
Yes, women's cycling events exist, such as the Tour de France Femmes, introduced to promote gender equality in the sport.
The annual men's multiple-stage bicycle race held primarily in France, renowned as one of the most prestigious cycling events globally.
Tour-de-france is usually formal in sports journalism; informal in everyday conversation about sports. in register.
Tour-de-france: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʊə də ˈfrɑːns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʊr də ˈfræns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a tour-de-france of the mind”
- “like the tour-de-france”
- “the tour-de-france of [field]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tour' as a journey and 'France' as the country; it's the famous bike tour in France.
Conceptual Metaphor
A journey of endurance, triumph, and global spectacle.
Practice
Quiz
What is the tour-de-france primarily known as?