Meaning & use
the winning post
Last updated
Meaning
nounsingularBritish
The post or marker that shows where a race ends; the finish line.
Grammar: Used with 'the' to refer to the specific post at the end of a race. The plural is rare but possible: 'winning posts'.
Patterns
- cross the winning post
- reach the winning post
- first past the winning post
The horse crossed the winning post just ahead of its rival.
She was the first to reach the winning post in the marathon.
The crowd cheered as the runners approached the winning post.
Word forms
| plural | winning posts |
|---|
Common combinations
- cross the winning post
- The jockey crossed the winning post with a smile.
- first past the winning post
- He was first past the winning post in the 400-meter race.
- approach the winning post
- The cyclists began to sprint as they approached the winning post.
- at the winning post
- There was a photo finish at the winning post.
Synonyms and how they differ
- finish line
- The more common term in both British and American English, used for any race.
- wire
- American English, informal: the finish line in horse racing.
Practice
In horse racing, the horses must pass ______ to finish the race.
Choose one answer.
'The winning post' is the correct term for the finish line in British horse racing. 'The winning point' means the point that wins a game, 'the win post' is not a standard phrase, and 'the winner post' is not used.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the winning post”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.