- 1[countable] race (between A and B) race (against somebody) a competition between people, animals, vehicles, etc. to see which one is the faster or fastest a race between the two best runners of the club Who won the race? He's already in training for the big race against Bailey. Their horse finished third in the race last year. a boat/horse/road, etc. race a five-kilometer race Let's have a race to the end of the beach! see drag race, horse race
- 2[singular] a situation in which a number of people, groups, organizations, etc. are competing, especially for political power or to achieve something first race (for something) the race for the presidency race (to do something) The race is on (= has begun) to find a cure for the disease. see rat race
- 3the races [plural] a series of horse races that happen at one place on a particular day to go to the races people
- 4[countable, uncountable] one of the main groups that humans can be divided into according to their physical differences, for example the color of their skin the Caucasian/Mongolian, etc. race people of mixed race This custom is found in people of all races throughout the world. legislation against discrimination on the grounds of race or sex
- 5[countable] a group of people who share the same language, history, culture, etc. the Nordic races He admired Canadians as a hardy and determined race. see human race animals/plants
- 6[countable] a breed or type of animal or plant a race of cattle Topic CollocationsRace and Immigrationprejudice and racism
- experience/encounter racism/discrimination/prejudice/anti-Semitism
- face/suffer from persecution/discrimination
- fear/escape from/flee racial/political/religious persecution
- constitute/be a form of racial discrimination
- reflect/reveal/show/have a racial/cultural bias
- be biased/be prejudiced against people of color/African Americans/Latinos/Native Americans/Asians, etc.
- discriminate against minority groups/minorities
- perpetuate/conform to/fit/defy a common/popular/traditional/negative stereotype
- overcome/be blinded by deep-seated/racial prejudice
- entrench/perpetuate racist attitudes
- hurl/shout a(n) racist/racial/ethnic slur
- challenge/confront racism/discrimination/prejudice
- combat/fight (against)/tackle blatant/overt/covert/subtle/institutional/systemic racism
- damage/improve race relations
- practice (racial/religious) tolerance/segregation
- overcome/bridge/break down/transcend cultural/racial barriers
- encourage/promote social integration
- outlaw/end discrimination/slavery/segregation
- promote/embrace/celebrate cultural/ethnic diversity
- conform to/challenge/violate (accepted/established/prevailing/dominant) social/cultural norms
- live in a multicultural society/a cosmopolitan city
- attack/criticize multiculturalism
- fight for/struggle for/promote racial equality
- perpetuate/reinforce economic and social inequality
- introduce/be for/be against affirmative action
- accuse somebody of reverse discrimation
- support/be active in/play a leading role in the civil rights movement
- control/restrict/limit/encourage immigration
- attract/draw a wave of immigrants
- assist/welcome refugees
- house/shelter refugees and asylum seekers
- smuggle illegal immigrants into the U.S.
- deport/repatriate illegal immigrants/those denied refugee status
- assimilate/integrate new immigrants
- employ/hire migrant workers
- exploit/rely on (cheap/illegal) migrant/foreign labor/workers
- apply for/gain/obtain/be granted/be denied (full) citizenship
- have/hold dual citizenship
competition
a competition or an election in which there are only one, two, etc. teams or candidates with a chance of winning The women's tennis championship was a two horse race between last year's winners New Rochelle and the previous champions Hyde Park.
a situation in which you have to do something or finish something very fast before it is too late Getting food to the starving refugees is now a race against time.
Check pronunciation: race