Compete vs. Race — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 1, 2024
Compete involves striving against others for an objective or superiority, while race specifically refers to a contest of speed.
Difference Between Compete and Race
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Competing is a broad term that encompasses any form of contest or rivalry where individuals or teams strive against each other to achieve a goal, secure a win, or gain superiority in a wide range of fields, including sports, academics, and business. It's about the effort to outdo others. On the other hand, racing is a specific type of competition that focuses solely on speed, typically to reach a designated finish point first. This can occur in various contexts, such as athletics, motor sports, and animals.
While all races are competitions focusing on speed, not all competitions are races. For example, a math competition involves competing based on skill and knowledge rather than speed. This distinction highlights the scope of competing as broader than racing, which is narrowly defined by the element of speed.
Competitions can be subjective, judged on criteria such as creativity, skill, or quality, in addition to objective measures like speed or points scored. Races, however, are primarily objective, determined by who finishes first, making them a clear-cut form of competition with quantifiable results based on time or distance.
The preparation for competing versus racing can also differ significantly. Training for a competition might involve developing a wide range of skills or knowledge, while preparing for a race often focuses on speed, endurance, and specific physical conditioning.
The appeal of competitions and races can vary among individuals. Some may prefer the broad challenges and diverse skills required in competitions, while others enjoy the clear objectives and physical demands of races.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Striving against others to achieve superiority.
A contest of speed to reach a point first.
Scope
Broad, can involve various skills or objectives.
Specific, focused on speed.
Criteria
Can be subjective or objective.
Primarily objective, based on time or distance.
Preparation
Diverse skills or knowledge.
Speed, endurance, and physical conditioning.
Outcome Determination
Can vary; may involve points, judges, or performance.
Usually based on who finishes first.
Compare with Definitions
Compete
Participating in a competition.
She will compete in the national spelling bee next month.
Race
A competition of speed, as in running, swimming, or driving.
He won the 100m race at the track meet.
Compete
To be a rival or contender.
Local businesses compete for customers in the market.
Race
To compete in a contest of speed.
She will race in the marathon this weekend.
Compete
Attempting to outdo others in a given field.
Innovators compete to create the next big tech breakthrough.
Race
A fast-paced competition.
The race to develop a vaccine was intense.
Compete
Engaging in a contest or rivalry.
Artists compete in the festival to showcase their talents.
Race
An event in which participants compete to be the fastest.
The annual boat race attracts teams from around the world.
Compete
To strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others.
Teams compete for the championship trophy each year.
Race
Moving swiftly or at full speed.
The river raced past after the heavy rain.
Compete
Strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others
Universities are competing for applicants
He competed with a number of other candidates
Race
A competition between runners, horses, vehicles, etc. to see which is the fastest in covering a set course
Hill started from pole position and won the race
Compete
To strive against another or others to attain a goal, such as an advantage or victory.
Race
A strong or rapid current flowing through a narrow channel in the sea or a river
Angling for tuna in turbulent tidal races
Compete
To be in battle or in a rivalry with another for the same thing, position, or reward; to contend
Race
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.
Compete
To be in a position in which it is possible to win or triumph.
Race
A smooth ring-shaped groove or guide in which a ball bearing or roller bearing runs.
Compete
To take part in a contest, game or similar event
Race
A fenced passageway in a stockyard through which animals pass singly for branding, loading, washing, etc.
Compete
To contend emulously; to seek or strive for the same thing, position, or reward for which another is striving; to contend in rivalry, as for a prize or in business; as, tradesmen compete with one another.
The rival statesmen, with eyes fixed on America, were all the while competing for European alliances.
Race
(in weaving) the channel along which the shuttle moves.
Compete
Compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
Race
Each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics
People of all races, colours, and creeds
Race
A ginger root.
Race
Move or progress swiftly or at full speed
I raced into the house
She spoke automatically, while her mind raced ahead
Race
A group of people identified as distinct from other groups because of supposed physical or genetic traits shared by the group. Most biologists and anthropologists do not recognize race as a biologically valid classification, in part because there is more genetic variation within groups than between them.
Race
A group of people united or classified together on the basis of common history, nationality, or geographic distribution
The Celtic race.
Race
A genealogical line; a lineage.
Race
Humans considered as a group.
Race
A usually geographically isolated population of organisms that differs from other populations of the same species in certain heritable traits
An island race of birds.
Race
A breed or strain, as of domestic animals.
Race
A distinguishing or characteristic quality, such as the flavor of a wine.
Race
A competition of speed, as in running or riding.
Race
Races A series of such competitions held at a specified time on a regular course
A fan of the dog races.
Race
An extended competition in which participants struggle like runners to be the winner
The presidential race.
Race
Steady or rapid onward movement
The race of time.
Race
A strong or swift current of water.
Race
The channel of such a current.
Race
An artificial channel built to transport water and use its energy. Also called raceway.
Race
A groovelike part of a machine in which a moving part slides or rolls.
Race
See slipstream.
Race
Of or relating to race; racial
Race relations.
Race quotas.
Race
Of or relating to forms of popular entertainment made by and largely marketed to African Americans in the early 1900s
Race literature.
Race records.
Race
(Sports) To compete in a contest of speed.
Race
To move rapidly or at top speed
We raced home. My heart was racing with fear.
Race
To run too rapidly due to decreased resistance or unnecessary provision of fuel
Adjusted the idle to keep the engine from racing.
Race
To compete against in a race.
Race
To cause to compete in a race
She races horses for a living.
Race
To transport rapidly or at top speed; rush
Raced the injured motorist to the hospital.
Race
To cause (an engine with the gears disengaged, for example) to run swiftly or too swiftly.
Race
A contest between people, animals, vehicles, etc. where the goal is to be the first to reach some objective. Example: Several horses run in a horse race, and the first one to reach the finishing post wins
The race around the park was won by Johnny, who ran faster than the others.
We had a race to see who could finish the book the quickest.
Race
Swift progress; rapid motion; an instance of moving or driving at high speed.
Race
(computing) A race condition.
Race
A progressive movement toward a goal.
The race to cure cancer
Race
A fast-moving current of water, such as that which powers a mill wheel.
Race
A water channel, esp. one built to lead water to or from a point where it is utilised.
Race
Competitive action of any kind, especially when prolonged; hence, career; course of life.
Race
The bushings of a rolling element bearing which contacts the rolling elements.
Race
A group of sentient beings, particularly people, distinguished by common ancestry, heritage or characteristics:
Race
A large group of people distinguished from others on the basis of a common heritage compare ethnic group. See Wikipedia's article on historical definitions of race.
Race
A large group of people distinguished from others on the basis of common physical characteristics, such as skin color or hair type.
Race was a significant issue during apartheid in South Africa.
The Native Americans colonized the New World in several waves from Asia, and thus they are considered part of the same Mongoloid race.
Race
A large group of sentient beings distinguished from others on the basis of a common heritage compare species, subspecies.
A treaty was concluded between the race of elves and the race of men.
Race
A group or category distinguished from others on the basis of shared characteristics or qualities, for example social qualities.
The advent of the Internet has brought about a new race of entrepreneur.
Recent developments in artificial intelligence have brought about a new race of robots that can perform household chores without supervision.
Race
(biology) A population geographically separated from others of its species that develops significantly different characteristics; a mating group.
Race
(zoology) Subspecies.
Race
(animal husbandry) A breed or strain of domesticated animal.
Race
An infraspecific rank, a pathotype, pathovar, etc.
Race
(obsolete) Peculiar flavour, taste, or strength, as of wine; that quality, or assemblage of qualities, which indicates origin or kind, as in wine; hence, characteristic flavour.
Race
(obsolete) Characteristic quality or disposition.
Race
Ancestry.
Race
A rhizome or root, especially of ginger.
Race
(intransitive) To take part in a race (in the sense of a contest).
The drivers were racing around the track.
Race
(transitive) To compete against in a race (contest).
I raced him to the car, but he was there first, so he got to ride shotgun.
Race
(intransitive) To move or drive at high speed; to hurry or speed.
As soon as it was time to go home, he raced for the door.
Her heart was racing as she peered into the dimly lit room.
Race
To run rapidly when not engaged to a transmission.
Race
To assign a race to; to perceive as having a (usually specified) race.
Race
To raze.
Race
To run swiftly; to contend in a race; as, the animals raced over the ground; the ships raced from port to port.
Race
To run too fast at times, as a marine engine or screw, when the screw is lifted out of water by the action of a heavy sea.
Race
To cause to contend in a race; to drive at high speed; as, to race horses.
Race
To run a race with.
Race
A root.
Race
The descendants of a common ancestor; a family, tribe, people, or nation, believed or presumed to belong to the same stock; a lineage; a breed.
The whole race of mankind.
Whence the long race of Alban fathers come.
Race
Company; herd; breed.
For do but note a wild and wanton herd,Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,Fetching mad bounds.
Race
A variety of such fixed character that it may be propagated by seed.
Race
Peculiar flavor, taste, or strength, as of wine; that quality, or assemblage of qualities, which indicates origin or kind, as in wine; hence, characteristic flavor; smack.
Is it [the wine] of the right race ?
Race
Hence, characteristic quality or disposition.
And now I give my sensual race the rein.
Some . . . great race of fancy or judgment.
Race
A progress; a course; a movement or progression.
Race
Esp., swift progress; rapid course; a running.
The flight of many birds is swifter than the race of any beasts.
Race
Hence: The act or process of running in competition; a contest of speed in any way, as in running, riding, driving, skating, rowing, sailing; in the plural, usually, a meeting for contests in the running of horses; as, he attended the races.
The race is not to the swift.
I wield the gauntlet, and I run the race.
Race
Competitive action of any kind, especially when prolonged; hence, career; course of life.
My race of glory run, and race of shame.
Race
A strong or rapid current of water, or the channel or passage for such a current; a powerful current or heavy sea, sometimes produced by the meeting of two tides; as, the Portland Race; the Race of Alderney.
Race
The current of water that turns a water wheel, or the channel in which it flows; a mill race.
Race
A channel or guide along which a shuttle is driven back and forth, as in a loom, sewing machine, etc.
Race
Any competition;
The race for the presidency
Race
People who are believed to belong to the same genetic stock;
Some biologists doubt that there are important genetic differences between races of human beings
Race
A contest of speed;
The race is to the swift
Race
The flow of air that is driven backwards by an aircraft propeller
Race
(biology) a taxonomic group that is a division of a species; usually arises as a consequence of geographical isolation within a species
Race
A canal for a current of water
Race
Step on it;
He rushed down the hall to receive his guests
The cars raced down the street
Race
Compete in a race;
He is running the Marathon this year
Let's race and see who gets there first
Race
To work as fast as possible towards a goal, sometimes in competition with others;
We are racing to find a cure for AIDS
Race
Cause to move fast or to rush or race;
The psychologist raced the rats through a long maze
Common Curiosities
Is racing always physical?
Mostly, yes, as it typically involves physical speed, but it can also refer to speed in completing tasks or achieving goals.
What is the key difference between compete and race?
The key difference lies in their scope; compete is a broad term for striving for superiority, while race specifically denotes a speed contest.
How do preparation strategies differ between competing and racing?
Preparation for competing may involve a broad set of skills or knowledge, whereas racing focuses on physical conditioning and speed.
What psychological benefits do competing and racing offer?
They can offer increased self-esteem, goal setting skills, stress relief, and the satisfaction of achievement.
Can a competition involve a race?
Yes, a competition can include races as events, especially in sports competitions.
Can one compete without racing?
Absolutely. One can compete in areas such as academics, arts, or business, where the competition is not based on speed.
What makes a race exciting?
The clear, objective measurement of success (speed), the direct competition, and often the physical display of skill and endurance make races exciting.
How do races impact participants?
Races can improve physical fitness, provide goals to strive towards, and offer a sense of achievement and competition.
Why is racing considered a form of competition?
Racing is a form of competition because it involves contestants striving against each other to be the fastest.
What role does strategy play in races?
Strategy can be crucial in races, involving pacing, positioning, and sometimes teamwork, even in contests primarily about speed.
Are all competitions fair?
Ideally, but fairness can vary based on the rules, judging criteria, and enforcement in different competitions.
How does one measure success in competitions other than races?
Success can be measured through points, performance quality, creativity, or adherence to specific criteria, depending on the competition.
Can technology influence outcomes in races?
Yes, advances in equipment, training techniques, and performance analysis can significantly impact racing outcomes.
How important is sportsmanship in competitions and races?
Sportsmanship is crucial, promoting respect, integrity, and fairness among competitors.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
