(~s, racing, ~d)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is a competition to see who is the fastest, for example in running, swimming, or driving.
The women’s ~ was won by the American, Patti Sue Plumer.
N-COUNT
2.
If you ~, you take part in a ~.
In the 10 years I ~d in Europe, 30 drivers were killed...
They may even have ~d each other–but not regularly.
VERB: V, V n, also V against n
3.
The ~s are a series of horse ~s that are held in a particular place on a particular day. People go to watch and to bet on which horse will win.
The high point of this trip was a day at the ~s.
N-PLURAL: the N
4.
A ~ is a situation in which people or organizations compete with each other for power or control.
The ~ for the White House begins in earnest today...
N-COUNT: usu sing, usu with supp
see also arms ~ , rat ~
5.
A ~ is one of the major groups which human beings can be divided into according to their physical features, such as the colour of their skin.
The College welcomes students of all ~s, faiths, and nationalities...
N-VAR
see also human ~ , ~ relations
6.
If you ~ somewhere, you go there as quickly as possible.
He ~d across town to the State House building...
VERB: V adv/prep
7.
If something ~s towards a particular state or position, it moves very fast towards that state or position.
Do they realize we are racing towards complete economic collapse?...
VERB: V prep/adv
8.
If you ~ a vehicle or animal, you prepare it for ~s and make it take part in ~s.
He still ~d sports cars as often as he could.
VERB: V n
9.
If your mind ~s, or if thoughts ~ through your mind, you think very fast about something, especially when you are in a difficult or dangerous situation.
I made sure I sounded calm but my mind was racing...
Bits and pieces of the past ~d through her mind.
VERB: V, V adv/prep
10.
If your heart ~s, it beats very quickly because you are excited or afraid.
Her heart ~d uncontrollably.
VERB: V
11.
see also racing
12.
You describe a situation as a ~ against time when you have to work very fast in order to do something before a particular time, or before another thing happens.
An air force spokesman said the rescue operation was a ~ against time.
PHRASE