track and field: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “track and field” mean?
A sport comprising athletic events performed on a running track (running events) and on the field (jumping and throwing events).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sport comprising athletic events performed on a running track (running events) and on the field (jumping and throwing events).
An organised sport program in schools, clubs, or at the Olympic level, consisting of a standard set of running, jumping, and throwing contests. Also used to refer to the culture and community surrounding this sport.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the primary term for the overall sport is 'athletics'. 'Track and field' is also understood but is less common in casual use. In American English, 'track and field' is the dominant term; 'athletics' is a broader term often referring to all sporting activities in an educational context.
Connotations
In the UK, 'athletics' sounds more standard for the sport. In the US, 'track and field' is the standard technical and general term. Using 'athletics' for the sport in the US can sound British or formal/academic.
Frequency
'Track and field' is high-frequency in AmE, medium-high in BrE, where it is often used in technical or international contexts (e.g., 'track and field events at the Olympics').
Grammar
How to Use “track and field” in a Sentence
[verb] + track and field (e.g., do, compete in, coach)track and field + [noun] (e.g., team, event, champion)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “track and field” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She has decided to take up athletics seriously this year.
American English
- He plans to track and field in college.
adjective
British English
- She is a promising athletics prospect.
American English
- He earned a track and field scholarship to university.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts of sports marketing, equipment sales, and sponsorship deals. E.g., 'The brand signed a major sponsorship deal with the national track and body.'
Academic
Used in sports science, physical education literature, and historical studies of sport. E.g., 'The paper analyses biomechanics in track and field disciplines.'
Everyday
Used when discussing school sports, the Olympics, or personal hobbies. E.g., 'My daughter is thinking of joining the track and field team this spring.'
Technical
Precise term for the sport category in rulebooks, event schedules, and coaching manuals. E.g., 'The World Athletics Championships govern all track and field events.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “track and field”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “track and field”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “track and field”
- Treating it as plural: *'Track and field are my favourite sport.' (Correct: 'Track and field is...')
- Misspelling as 'track-and-field' (hyphens are sometimes used but the open form is standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is treated as a singular, uncountable noun. e.g., 'Track and field is an Olympic sport.'
In American English, 'track and field' is the sport; 'athletics' often means all sports programs. In British English, 'athletics' is the standard term for the sport itself, and 'track and field' is a more specific synonym.
Yes, e.g., 'a track and field athlete', 'a track and field event'. Hyphens are sometimes used in the adjective form ('track-and-field event').
Track events include sprints, middle/long-distance runs, hurdles, and relays. Field events include jumps (long, high, triple, pole vault) and throws (shot put, discus, javelin, hammer).
A sport comprising athletic events performed on a running track (running events) and on the field (jumping and throwing events).
Track and field is usually neutral in register.
Track and field: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtræk ən ˈfiːld/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtræk ən ˈfild/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on the track”
- “a field event”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the LOCATION: you run on a TRACK, and you jump/throw on a FIELD.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPORT IS WAR (e.g., 'battle on the track', 'field of competition').
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'athletics' the MOST common term for the sport of track and field?