Meaning & use
drag racing
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
A motor sport in which two cars race side by side over a short, straight track to see which is faster.
Grammar: Uncountable; used with a singular verb: Drag racing is popular in the US.
Patterns
- drag racing is
- go drag racing
- a drag racing event
Drag racing is a popular sport in the southern United States.
He spends his weekends drag racing at the local track.
The drag racing event attracted thousands of spectators.
noununcountableinformal
The activity or hobby of racing cars in this way.
Grammar: Often used after 'go' or 'take up': go drag racing, take up drag racing.
Patterns
- go drag racing
- take up drag racing
They go drag racing every Saturday night.
She took up drag racing after she bought a fast car.
Common combinations
- drag racing track
- The new drag racing track opened last month.
- drag racing car
- He built a special drag racing car.
- drag racing event
- The drag racing event was cancelled because of rain.
- go drag racing
- They like to go drag racing on weekends.
Synonyms and how they differ
- drag race
- A single race of this kind; 'drag racing' is the sport or activity.
- sprint racing
- A similar short-distance race, but usually for motorcycles or bicycles, not cars.
Word family
- drag racer noun
- A person who takes part in drag racing, or a car used for it.
- drag strip noun
- The straight track used for drag racing.
Commonly confused: drag racing or drag race?
drag racing vs drag race
A 'drag race' is one race; 'drag racing' is the sport or activity in general.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'drag racing' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Go drag racing' is the correct pattern. 'Go to drag racing' and 'go for drag racing' are not used.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “drag racing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.