- a competition between runners, horses, vehicles, boats, etc. to see which is the fastest in covering a set course（人、马、车、船等的）速度比赛, 竞赛：
Hill started from pole position and won the race.
希尔从杆位出发, 赢得了比赛。
the races
a series of such competitions for horses or dogs, held at a fixed time on a set course大赛（定期定点举行的系列赛马或赛狗会）。
- in sing. a situation in which individuals or groups compete to be first to achieve a particular objective竞赛, 竞争：
the race for nuclear power.
核竞赛。
- archaic the course of the sun or moon through the heavens〈古〉（日或月的）行程, 历程。
- a strong or rapid current flowing through a narrow channel in the sea or a river急流：
angling for tuna in turbulent tidal races.
在波涛汹涌的急浪中钓金枪鱼。
- a groove, channel, or passage, in particular沟槽, 管道, 通道, 尤指：
- a water channel, especially one built to lead water to or from a point where its energy is utilized, as in a mill or mine（磨坊或矿井等利用水力的）引水管道。参见MILL RACE.
- a smooth ring-shaped groove or guide in which a ball bearing or roller bearing runs（球轴承或滚柱轴承的）座圈, 滚道; 轮槽。
- a fenced passageway in a stockyard through which animals pass singly for branding, loading, washing, etc.（饲养场让牲畜逐头通过以烙印、装载或冲洗的）栅栏过道。
- (in weaving) the channel along which the shuttle moves（编织用语）走梭板。
- no obj. compete with another or others to see who is fastest at covering a set course or achieving an objective参加竞速赛：
the vet took blood samples from the horses before they raced
兽医采了血样之后马匹才进行比赛
with obj. two drivers raced each other through a housing estate.两个驾车者比着速度穿过了一住宅区。
- compete regularly in races as a sport or leisure activity定期参加运动（或休闲）比赛活动：
next year, he raced again for the team.
次年, 他又代表该队参加了比赛。
- with obj. prepare and enter (an animal or vehicle) for races as a sport or leisure activity使（动物, 车辆）准备参加比赛活动：
he raced his three horses simply for the fun of it.
他让他的三匹马参加比赛纯粹是为了娱乐。
- no obj., with adverbial move or progress swiftly or at full speed疾走, 迅跑; 全速行进：
I raced into the house
我急忙奔进屋内
figurative 〈喻〉she spoke automatically, while her mind raced ahead.
她侃侃而谈, 脑子却飞快作进一步思考。
- no obj.(of an engine or other machinery) operate at excessive speed（发动机或其他机器）超速运转：
the truck came to rest against a tree with its engine racing.
卡车撞到树停了下来, 但发动机仍在飞转。
- no obj.(of a person's heart or pulse) beat faster than usual because of fear or excitement（人的心脏或脉搏因害怕或激动）加快跳动。
- with obj. cause to move, progress, or operate swiftly or at excessive speed使飞速移动, 使超速前进（或运转）：
she'd driven like a madwoman, racing the engine and swerving around corners.
她驾车狂奔, 遇拐角急转弯, 开得就像疯女人似的。
be in the race
- usu. with negative Austral./NZ informal have a chance of success〈澳/新西兰, 非正式〉有希望赢; 有成功机会：
with you dressed up, none of us others will be in the race.
你这样一打扮, 我们谁都没有赢的希望。
a race against time
- a situation in which something must be done before a particular point in time和时间赛跑, 抢时间：
it was a race against time to reach shore before the dinghy sank.
小舢板必须抢在下沉之前到达岸边。
- each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics人种, 种族; 民族：
people of all races, colours, and creeds.
所有种族、肤色和信仰的人。
- a group of people sharing the same culture, history, language, etc.; an ethnic group（具有相同文化、历史和语言等特征的）种族, 群体; 族群：
we Scots were a bloodthirsty race then.
我们苏格兰人那时是一个嗜血的民族。
- mass noun the fact or condition of belonging to such a division or group: the qualities or characteristics associated with this种族归属; 种族气质, 特征：
people of mixed race.
混种人。
- a group or set of people or things with a common feature or features（具有共同特征的）一群（或一批）人（或物）：
some male firefighters still regarded women as a race apart.
一些男消防队员仍然视女性为另类。
- Biology a population within a species that is distinct in some way, especially a subspecies【生】宗; 族; 品种（尤指亚种）：
people have killed so many tigers that two races are probably extinct.
人们大量捕杀老虎, 有两个亚种可能已经灭绝。
- (in non-technical use) each of the major divisions of living creatures〈非技〉族, 类：
a member of the human race
人类的一员
the race of birds.
鸟类。
- poetic/literary a group of people descended from a common ancestor〈诗/文〉（具有共同血统的）一群人：
a prince of the race of Solomon.
所罗门血统的王子。
- mass noun archaic ancestry〈古〉祖先; 世系, 血统, 门第：
two coursers of ethereal race.
神马一族两骏骑。