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obstacle race

obstacle race

1 3.5
A race where people run and go over or through things that block the way like walls
  • noun
  • /ˈɑbstəkl reɪs/
translation icon : carrera de obstáculos
  • To train for the obstacle race, she practiced running while jumping over hurdles and climbing ropes.

Examples

  • I compete in mud runs and obstacle races.

    Blog text (28)
  • And I'll probably do some more obstacle races because they're a lot more fun to me.

  • There are adventure and obstacle races, triathlons, and more.

    Blog text (21)
  • Not, certainly, in order to create artificial merit or to preside over an obstacle race.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The obstacle race.

  • Imagine running a 17-obstacle race—including jumping over a real-life fire!

    Blog text (16)
  • I signed up for an obstacle race this weekend that requires climbing walls and crawling through mud.

  • The children were excited to participate in an obstacle race that included tires, tunnels, and monkey bars.

Synonyms

race
vsobstacle race
1.0

A contest to see who is fastest or finishes first

adds various physical challenges to overcome rather than only speed
hurdling
vsobstacle race
1 3.2

A race where people run and jump over small barriers

emphasizes diverse physical tasks across a course not only barrier jumping
hurdle race
vsobstacle race
3.2

A running race where runners jump over low barriers

focuses on varied physical challenges not just repeated barrier jumps
hurdles
vsobstacle race
2.9

A race in which runners jump over barriers set at fixed distances

covers broader courses with many different physical challenges not only barrier jumps

How Challenging

assault
  • Specialized
423 6.9
obstacle race
1 3.5
fun run
4 2.1

Surface Forms

obstacle race singular

Morphology

obstacle + race

The meaning 'a race with physical obstacles' is directly and compositionally derived from 'obstacle' (something that impedes movement) + 'race' (a contest to finish first). This noun-noun combination follows a common and transparent compounding pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The compound noun obstacle race comes from the simple image of a race where runners must get over or go under an obstacle, like walls, nets, or mud. So, it means 'a race with physical challenges'.