Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense tracks, present participle tracking, past tense, past participle tracked
1. countable noun
A track is a narrow road or path.
We set off once more, over a rough mountain track.
Synonyms: path, way, road, route More Synonyms of track
2. countable noun
A track is a piece of ground, often oval-shaped, that is used for races involving athletes, cars, bicycles, horses, or dogs called greyhounds.
The two men turned to watch the horses going round the track.
...the athletics track.
Synonyms: running track, course, circuit [British], racecourse More Synonyms of track
3. countable noun [usually plural]
Railway tracks are the rails that a train travels along.
A woman fell on to the tracks.
4. countable noun
A track is one of the songs or pieces of music on a recording.
All 10 tracks on the album are love songs.
5. plural noun
Tracks are marks left in the ground by the feet of animals or people.
The only evidence of pandas was their tracks in the snow.
McKee suddenly noticed tire tracks on the bank ahead.
6. verb
If you track animals or people, you try to follow them by looking for the signs that they have left behind, for example themarks left by their feet.
He thought he had better track this wolf and kill it. [VERB noun]
I followed him, tracking him in the snow until finally he got tired. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: follow, pursue, chase, trace More Synonyms of track
7. verb
To track someone or something means to follow their movements by means of a special device,such as a satellite or radar.
Our radar began tracking the jets. [VERB noun]
Forecasters are also tracking the hurricane. [VERB noun]
8. verb
If you track someone or something, you investigate them, because you are interested in finding out more about them.
If it's possible, track the rumour back to its origin. [VERB noun]
The player is being tracked by Juventus. [VERB noun]
9. countable noun
In a school, a track is a group of children of the same age and ability who are taught together.
[US]regional note: in BRIT, use stream
10. verb
To track students means to divide them into groups according to their ability.
[US]
Students are already being tracked. [beVERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun]regional note: in BRIT, use stream
trackinguncountable noun
Tracking assigns some students to college prep and others to vocational programs.
11. See also backtrack, fast track, racetrack, sidetrack, soundtrack, title track
12.
See cover your tracks
13.
See have the inside track
14.
See to keep track
15.
See to lose track of
16.
See make tracks
17.
See on track
18.
See on the track of
19.
See on the right/wrong track
20.
See to stop someone in their tracks
21.
See stop sth (dead) in its tracks
22. off the beaten track
Phrasal verbs:
See track down
More Synonyms of track
track in British English
(træk)
noun
1.
the mark or trail left by something that has passed by
the track of an animal
2.
any road or path affording passage, esp a rough one
3.
a rail or pair of parallel rails on which a vehicle, such as a locomotive, runs, esp the rails together with the sleepers, ballast, etc, on a railway
4.
a course of action, thought, etc
don't start on that track again!
5.
a line of motion or travel, such as flight
6.
an endless jointed metal band driven by the wheels of a vehicle such as a tank or tractor to enable it to move across rough or muddy ground
7. physics
the path of a particle of ionizing radiation as observed in a cloud chamber, bubble chamber, or photographic emulsion
8.
a.
a course for running or racing
b.
(as modifier)
track events
9. US and Canadian
a.
sports performed on a track
b.
track and field events as a whole
10.
a path on a magnetic recording medium, esp magnetic tape, on which information, such as music or speech, from a single input channel is recorded
11.
any of a number of separate sections in the recording on a record, CD, or cassette
12.
a metal path that makes the interconnections on an integrated circuit
13.
the distance between the points of contact with the ground of a pair of wheels, suchas the front wheels of a motor vehicle or the paired wheels of an aircraft undercarriage
14.
a hypothetical trace made on the surface of the earth by a point directly below an aircraft in flight
15. keep track of
16. lose track of
17. off the beaten track
18. off the track
19. on the track of
20. the right track
21. the wrong track
verb
22.
to follow the trail of (a person, animal, etc)
23.
to follow the flight path of (a satellite, spacecraft, etc) by picking up radio or radar signals transmitted or reflected by it
24. US railways
a.
to provide with a track
b.
to run on a track of (a certain width)
25.
(of a camera or camera operator) to follow (a moving object) in any direction while operating
26.
to move (a camera) towards the scene (track in) or away from the scene (track out)
27.
to follow a track through (a place)
to track the jungles
28. (intransitive)
(of the pick-up, stylus, etc, of a record player) to follow the groove of a record
the pick-up tracks badly
Derived forms
trackable (ˈtrackable)
adjective
tracker (ˈtracker)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Old French trac, probably of Germanic origin; related to Middle Dutch tracken to pull, Middle Low German trecken; compare Norwegian trakke to trample
track in American English
(træk)
noun
1.
a mark or series of marks or other discoverable evidence left by a person, animal, or thing that has passed, as a footprint, wheel rut, wake of a boat, etc.
2.
a trace or vestige
3.
a beaten path or trail left by the repeated passage of persons, animals, or vehicles
4.
a.
a course or line of motion or action; route; way
b.
the projection of the flight path of an airplane, rocket, etc. on the surface of the earth
5.
a sequence of ideas, events, etc.; succession
6.
a path or circuit laid out for running, horse racing, etc.
7. US
any of the courses of study continuing through succeeding grades in an educational structure (tracking), arranged according to various levels of mastery, to which students are assigned on the basis of test performance, abilities, needs, etc.
8.
a pair of parallel metal rails, with their crossties, etc., on which trains, streetcars, etc. run
9. US
the distance between the centers of the tread of parallel wheels, as of an automobile
10.
either of the two endless belts with which tanks, some tractors, etc. are equipped for moving over rough ground
11.
a.
the narrow channel, containing lengthwise copper wires or strips carrying electric current, into which track lights are inserted
b.
any of various structural channels or grooves, as one that holds a sliding door or window
12.
the tread of an automobile tire
13. US
a.
athletic sports performed on a track, as running, hurdling, etc.
b.
track and field sports together
14.
a.
soundtrack
b.
any of the separate divisions on a phonograph record, compact disc, etc. containing individual selections
c.
any of the separate, parallel recording surfaces extending along the length of amagnetic tape
d.
the long continuous spiral groove on a phonograph record in which a stylus moves
e.
in a computer, that part of a magnetic drum, tape, or disk that passes under a given reading head position
15. Cinema
tracking shot
verb transitive
16.
a.
to follow the track or footprints of
to track game
b.
to follow (a path, etc.)
17.
to trace by means of vestiges, evidence, etc.
18.
to plot the path of and record data from (an aircraft, spacecraft, missile, etc.) using radar, a telescope, etc.
19.
to tread or travel
20.
a.
to leave tracks or footprints on (often with up)
b. US
to leave in the form of tracks
to track dirt over a floor
21. US
to provide with tracks or rails
22. Cinema
to follow (a moving object or person) with a moving camera
verb intransitive
23.
to run in the same (width) track
24.
to be in alignment, as gears, wheels, or the stylus of a phonograph cartridge with a groove on a record
There are some parts in the track that are about romantic heartache.
The Sun (2016)
Will keep a track on this scandal.
The Sun (2016)
Try not to walk on anything except the tracks of vehicles.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is this blinkered track we follow that sets us up for failure.
Computing (2010)
If we lose tracks like this, it will be a tragedy.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He recently put out two tracks, to critical and popular acclaim.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
This documentary tracks down people who were photographed for the housing charity Shelter and discovers how their lives panned out.
The Sun (2016)
Six tracks are already available to buy.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
What this system allows you to do is to track people and monitor high and poor performers.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But the problem is that after these two tracks the album quickly descends into sloppy dross.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Using radar for tracking wildlife could save lives.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
To realize what war is one should follow our tracks.
Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)
This stiff track and easy ground will play to his strengths.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
For the first time users could buy single tracks from albums with the click of a mouse.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is comfortable for cruising long distances on motorways as well as driving up bumpy mountain tracks.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The cameras track the challenges from the first day.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Her performance featured a dance routine set to a music track that needed editing for her slot.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We tracked down the vehicle and driver.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The ability to track migration paths means researchers can target conservation efforts more effectively.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We followed tracks up the bank and into the forest.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That track came about as a joke.
The Sun (2012)
Security guards have now been hired and tracking devices hidden inside stock.
The Sun (2013)
This means you can keep track of your progress.
Wallace, Louise M & Bundy, Christine Coping with Angina (1990)
There was a sorry track record of specific excesses and violations of the public trust.
Kantrow, Alan M. The Constraints of Corporate Tradition (1987)
The best sprinters are just looking at the track ahead of them and the white lines either side.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Officers followed a set of tracks in the snow which led from the club to a house in the village.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He'd have won a lot easier on a flat track.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
track
British English: track /træk/ NOUN
path A track is a narrow road or path.
We set off once more, over a rough mountain track.
American English: track
Arabic: مَسَار
Brazilian Portuguese: caminho
Chinese: 轨道
Croatian: staza
Czech: polní cesta
Danish: bane
Dutch: voetspoor
European Spanish: sendero huella
Finnish: pyörän ura
French: piste musique
German: Pfad
Greek: αποτύπωμα
Italian: traccia
Japanese: 小道
Korean: 통로
Norwegian: spor sti/vei
Polish: ślad trop
European Portuguese: caminho
Romanian: cărare
Russian: след
Latin American Spanish: pista banda de cinta o disco magnético
Swedish: spår
Thai: หนทาง
Turkish: engebeli yol
Ukrainian: стежка
Vietnamese: đường mòn
British English: track VERB
If you track animals or people, you try to follow them by looking for the signs that they have left behind, for example the marks left by their feet.
He thought he had better track this wolf and kill it.
American English: track
Brazilian Portuguese: seguir a pista de
Chinese: 跟踪
European Spanish: seguir la pista de
French: suivre à la traceN
German: verfolgen
Italian: seguire le tracce di
Japanese: 跡を追う
Korean: 추적하다
European Portuguese: seguir a pista de
Latin American Spanish: seguir la pista de
British English: track NOUN
song A track is one of the songs or pieces of music on a CD, record, or tape.
I only like two of the ten tracks on this CD.
American English: track
Brazilian Portuguese: faixa
Chinese: 一首歌曲录制在CD、唱片或磁带上的
European Spanish: canción
French: titre
German: Track
Italian: branodi CD, cassetta
Japanese: 曲
Korean: 음반이나 노래의 한 곡
European Portuguese: faixa
Latin American Spanish: canción
All related terms of 'track'
dog track
a run-down , poorly maintained or poorly designed golf course
off-track
designating or of legalized betting on horse races, carried on at places away from the racetrack
one-track
obsessed with one idea , subject, etc
on track
If someone or something is on track , they are acting or progressing in a way that is likely to result in success .
track rod
the rod connecting the two front wheels of a motor vehicle ensuring that they turn at the same angle
bumpy track
A track is a narrow road or path .
cart track
a rough track or road in a rural area
cycle track
a special path created for cyclists to use
dirt track
a track with an unsealed surface
fast track
The fast track to a particular goal , especially in politics or in your career , is the quickest route to achieving it.
half-track
a vehicle with caterpillar tracks on the wheels that supply motive power only
laugh track
laughter which is pre-recorded and then added to a radio or TV show to be played when it is aired
mommy track
a path in life in which a woman devotes most of her time to her children and home rather than to her career
mule track
a track used by mules
sheep track
a pathway made by and used by sheep , often in rocky or mountainous terrain , and sometimes followed by hikers
spur track
a short track connected with the main track of a railroad
test track
A track is a piece of ground, often oval-shaped , that is used for races involving athletes , cars, bicycles , horses, or dogs called greyhounds .
title track
The title track on a CD or record is a song or piece of music that has the same title as the CD or record.
track down
If you track down someone or something, you find them, or find information about them, after a difficult or long search .
track event
A track event is an event in athletics which involves running or walking around a racetrack , in contrast to events that involve only jumping or throwing .
track meet
an athletics meeting
track race
an instance of a form of motorcycle racing where teams or individuals race opponents around an oval track
track shoe
either of a pair of light running shoes fitted with steel spikes for better grip
track shoes
light running shoes fitted with steel spikes for better grip
track shot
a camera shot in which the cameraman follows a specific person or event in the action
twin-track
involving two simultaneous actions or processes
wild track
a soundtrack recorded other than with a synchronized picture , usually carrying sound effects, random dialogue , etc
backing track
a recorded instrumental or vocal accompaniment for a pop singer or pop number
bridle track
a path suitable for riding or leading horses
cinder track
a racetrack covered with fine cinders
crawler track
→ another name for crawler lane
cycling track
a special path created for cyclists to use
double track
two railways side by side, typically for traffic in two directions
inside track
the inner and therefore shorter side of a racecourse
railway track
British → another name for railway line (sense 2 )
running track
a piece of ground, usually oval-shaped , that is used for races involving athletes
single track
a single pair of lines so that trains can travel in only one direction at a time
track racing
a form of motorcycle racing where teams or individuals race opponents around an oval track
track record
If you talk about the track record of a person, company , or product , you are referring to their past performance , achievements , or failures in it.
track system
the practice of placing students into different classes within a school according to test scores or relative academic ability, to assure that gifted students are not inhibited by slower learners
warning track
a rubberized , dirt , or gravel strip of ground, just inside the walls of the field, that helps a fielder locate the wall while looking up at a fly ball
laughter track
A track is one of the songs or pieces of music on a recording .
railroad track
US → another name for railway track ⇒ ⇒ alongside the railroad track ⇒ ⇒ railroad tracks that led to nowhere
track athletics
sporting activities, such as relay running or sprinting , which take place on a running track
track lighting
a system of lighting where light bulbs are attached movably to tracks
a track record
the reputation that a person, a company, or a product has, which is based on all their successes and failures in the past
Caterpillar track
A Caterpillar track is a linked metal chain fastened around the wheels of a heavy vehicle to help it to move over rough ground.
go-kart track
a racetrack for go-karts
jump the track
to go suddenly off the rails
keep track of
to follow the passage, course, or progress of
Chinese translation of 'track'
track
(træk)
n(c)
(= path) 小径(徑) (xiǎojìng) (条(條), tiáo)
[of bullet etc]轨(軌)迹(跡) (guǐjì) (个(個), gè)
[of suspect, animal]足迹(跡) (zújì) (个(個), gè)
(Rail) 轨(軌)道 (guǐdào) (条(條), tiáo)
(on tape, record) 曲目 (qǔmù) (个(個), gè)
(Sport) 跑道 (pǎodào) (条(條), tiáo)
vt
(= follow)[animal, person]追踪(蹤) (zhuīzōng)
to keep/lose track of sb/sth掌握/跟不上某人/某物的动(動)态(態) (zhǎngwò/gēn bù shàng mǒurén/mǒuwù de dòngtài)
to be on the right track (fig) 方向正确(確) (fāngxiàng zhèngquè)
All related terms of 'track'
track down
( prey, criminal ) 追踪(蹤)到 zhuīzōng dào
off the beaten track
在人迹(跡)罕至之处(處) zài rénjì hǎnzhì zhī chù
to be on the right track
( fig ) 方向正确(確) fāngxiàng zhèngquè
to keep/lose track of sb/sth
掌握/跟不上某人/某物的动(動)态(態) zhǎngwò/gēn bù shàng mǒurén/mǒuwù de dòngtài
record
( written account ) 记(記)载(載) jìzǎi
1 (noun)
Definition
a rough road or path
We set off once more, over a rough mountain track.
Synonyms
path
We followed the path along the clifftops.
way
He came round the back way.
road
There was very little traffic on the roads.
route
the most direct route to the town centre
trail
He was following a broad trail through the trees.
pathway
footpath
2 (noun)
Definition
the mark or trail left by something that has passed by
following the track of a hurricane
Synonyms
course
For nearly four hours we maintained our course northwards.
line
Walk in a straight line.
path
A group of reporters blocked his path.
The tornado wrecked everything in its path.
orbit
the point at which the planet's orbit is closest to the sun
trajectory
the trajectory of an artillery shell
flight path
3 (noun)
Definition
a course for running or racing on
the athletics track
Synonyms
running track
course
On the Tour de France, cyclists cover a course of over 2,000 miles.
circuit (British)
the historic racing circuit at Monza
racecourse
a tragedy on the racecourse
4 (noun)
Definition
a rail or pair of parallel rails on which a vehicle, such as a train, runs
The railway track has flooded.
Synonyms
line
rail
The train left the rails.
tramline
5 (noun)
Definition
a separate song or piece of music on a record, tape, or CD
He has produced two of the tracks on this album.
Synonyms
song
a voice singing a Spanish song
recording
piece
number
(verb)
Definition
to follow the trail of (a person or animal)
He thought he had better track this creature and kill it.
Synonyms
follow
I think we're being followed.
pursue
She pursued the man who had stolen her bag.
chase
She chased the thief for 100 yards.
trace
I first went there to trace my roots.
tail (informal)
Officers had tailed the gang in an undercover inquiry.
dog
The three creatures had dogged him from hut to hut.
shadow
shadowed by a large and highly visible body of police
trail
Two detectives were trailing him.
stalk
Wolves stalk their prey across the tundra.
hunt down
follow the trail of
idioms
See keep track of something or someone
See lose track of something or someone
See make tracks
phrase
See on track
See stop something or someone in its or their tracks
phrasal verb
See track something or someone down
Additional synonyms
in the sense of chase
Definition
to pursue (a person or animal) persistently or quickly
She chased the thief for 100 yards.
Synonyms
pursue,
follow,
track,
hunt,
run after,
course
in the sense of circuit
Definition
a motor-racing track
the historic racing circuit at Monza
Synonyms
racetrack,
course,
track,
racecourse
in the sense of dog
Definition
to follow (someone) closely
The three creatures had dogged him from hut to hut.
Synonyms
pursue,
follow,
track,
chase,
shadow,
harry,
tail (informal),
trail,
hound,
stalk,
go after,
give chase to
Synonyms of 'track'
track
Explore 'track' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of orbit
Definition
the curved path followed by something, such as a heavenly body or spacecraft, in its motion around another body
the point at which the planet's orbit is closest to the sun
Synonyms
path,
course,
track,
cycle,
circle,
revolution,
passage,
rotation,
trajectory,
sweep,
ellipse,
circumgyration
in the sense of pursue
Definition
to follow (a person, vehicle, or animal) in order to capture or overtake
She pursued the man who had stolen her bag.
Synonyms
follow,
track,
hunt,
chase,
dog,
attend,
shadow,
accompany,
harry,
tail (informal),
haunt,
plague,
hound,
stalk,
harass,
go after,
run after,
hunt down,
give chase to
in the sense of racecourse
Definition
a long broad track on which horses are raced
a tragedy on the racecourse
Synonyms
hippodrome,
course,
track,
racetrack
in the sense of rail
Definition
one of a pair of parallel bars that serve as a running surface for the wheels of a train
The train left the rails.
Synonyms
track,
points
in the sense of road
Definition
a street
There was very little traffic on the roads.
Synonyms
roadway,
street,
highway,
motorway,
track,
direction,
route,
path,
lane,
avenue,
artery,
pathway,
carriageway,
thoroughfare,
course,
ice road (Canadian)
in the sense of route
Definition
a chosen way or method
the most direct route to the town centre
Synonyms
way,
course,
road,
direction,
path,
journey,
passage,
avenue,
itinerary
in the sense of shadow
Definition
to follow or trail secretly
shadowed by a large and highly visible body of police
Synonyms
follow,
track,
pursue,
dog,
tail (informal),
trail,
stalk,
spy on
in the sense of stalk
Definition
to follow (an animal or person) quietly and secretly in order to catch or kill them
Wolves stalk their prey across the tundra.
Synonyms
pursue,
follow,
track,
hunt,
shadow,
tail (informal),
haunt,
creep up on
in the sense of tail
Definition
to follow (someone) stealthily
Officers had tailed the gang in an undercover inquiry.
Synonyms
follow,
track,
shadow,
trail,
stalk,
keep an eye on,
dog the footsteps of
in the sense of trace
Definition
to locate or work out (the cause or source of something)
I first went there to trace my roots.
Synonyms
search for,
follow,
seek out,
track,
determine,
pursue,
unearth,
ascertain,
hunt down
Additional synonyms
in the sense of trail
Definition
a rough path across open country or through a forest
He was following a broad trail through the trees.
Synonyms
path,
track,
route,
way,
course,
road,
pathway,
footpath,
beaten track,
singletrack
in the sense of trail
Definition
to follow or hunt (an animal or person), usually secretly, by following the marks or tracks he, she, or it has made
Two detectives were trailing him.
Synonyms
follow,
track,
chase,
pursue,
dog,
hunt,
shadow,
trace,
tail (informal),
hound,
stalk,
keep an eye on,
keep tabs on (informal),
run to ground
in the sense of trajectory
Definition
the path described by an object moving in air or space, esp. the curved path of a projectile