Racetrack

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɹeɪsˌtɹæk/

Definitions

1. A facility constructed for the purpose of racing, usually characterized by a looped track designed for various vehicles or animals to compete
2. An assigned surface and path where competitive racing can occur, typically designed for optimal performance of cars, motorcycles, or horses
3. A designated area designed specifically for racing events, commonly featuring a circular or oval shape suitable for different types of vehicles or animals to compete

Etymology: "Racetrack" is about as transparent as compounds get: it joins "race" and "track," and each part keeps its everyday sense. A race is a contest of speed, and a track is a beaten path or a marked course, so the word names simply the course on which racing takes place. The "race" element traces back to Old Norse and Middle English roots meaning a running or current, while "track" came into English from Old French "trac," a mark left by a foot or wheel. The noun has kept its literal sense without any dramatic shift. Where a word like "pitch" or "bank" may wander far from its origin, "racetrack" stays close to the picture it first conjured: a ground marked out for horses, dogs, or cars to run around. Its meaning has widened only in the sense that the word now covers many kinds of motor and animal racing venues, not just horse courses.

Synonyms: racecourse, track