track

1 of 2

noun

1
: a footprint whether recent or fossil
the huge track of a dinosaur
2
a
: detectable evidence (such as the wake of a ship, a line of footprints, or a wheel rut) that something has passed
b
: a path made by or as if by repeated footfalls : trail
c
: a course laid out especially for racing
d
: the parallel rails of a railroad
e(1)
: material recorded especially on or as if on a track
instrumental tracks
a bonus commentary track on a DVD
(2)
: one of a series of parallel or concentric paths along which material (such as music or information) is recorded (as on a phonograph record or magnetic tape)
(3)
: a group of grooves on a phonograph record containing recorded sound
f
: a usually metal way (such as a groove) serving as a guide (as for a movable lighting fixture)
3
a
: a sequence of events : a train of ideas : succession
b
: an awareness of a fact, progression, or condition
keep track of the costs
lose track of the time
4
: track-and-field sports
especially : those performed on a running track
5
a
: the course along which something moves or progresses
b
: a way of life, conduct, or action
c
: one of several curricula of study to which students are assigned according to their needs or levels of ability
d
: the projection on the earth's surface of the path along which something (such as a missile or an airplane) has flown
6
a
: the width of a wheeled vehicle from wheel to wheel and usually from the outside of the rims
b
: the tread of an automobile tire
c
: either of two endless belts on which a tracklaying vehicle travels
trackless adjective

track

2 of 2

verb

tracked; tracking; tracks

transitive verb

1
a
: to follow the tracks or traces of : trail
b
: to search for by following evidence until found
track down the source
2
a
: to follow by vestiges : trace
b
: to observe or plot the moving path of (something, such as a spacecraft or missile) often instrumentally
3
a
: to carry (mud or other material) on the feet and deposit
tracking mud into the kitchen
b
: to make tracks upon
4
: to keep track of (something, such as a trend) : follow
5
: to travel over : traverse
track a desert

intransitive verb

1
: travel
a comet tracking eastward
2
a of a pair of wheels
(1)
: to maintain a constant distance apart on the straightaway
(2)
: to fit a track or rails
b
of a rear wheel of a vehicle : to follow accurately the corresponding fore wheel on a straightaway
c
of a phonograph needle : to follow the groove undulations of a recording
3
: to leave tracks (as on a floor)
tracker noun
Phrases
in one's tracks
: where one stands or is at the moment : on the spot
was stopped in his tracks
on track
: achieving or doing what is necessary or expected
Choose the Right Synonym for track

trace, vestige, track mean a perceptible sign made by something that has passed.

trace may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect.

the killer left no traces

vestige applies to a tangible reminder such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone.

boulders that are vestiges of the last ice age

track implies a continuous line that can be followed.

the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs

Example Sentences

Noun Follow the track into the forest. The train to Chicago will leave track 3. Verb He tracked the deer for a mile. The detectives tracked the killer to Arizona. The ship can track incoming missiles with radar. Meteorologists are tracking the storm. The study tracked the patients over the course of five years. The squadron will track north by northeast for 40 miles. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The front-wheel-drive Type R’s six-speed manual transmission has also been upgraded to handle the power increase, and Honda has improved brake cooling to help handle track day punishment. Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 29 Nov. 2022 That might mean sequins with tapestry florals, or lace with track pants. Véronique Hyland, ELLE, 28 Nov. 2022 At 6-foot-1, 188 pounds, Hamilton has competed at the AAU Junior Olympics, competed at state track meets and spent some time as a defensive back. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 28 Nov. 2022 Richardson said the answer isn’t getting into track meets with the likes of the Jets or Edmonton Oilers. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022 But this isn't Matty's first time telling people off to the tune of the Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships track. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2022 The songs are not the thing, there’s no title track. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Nov. 2022 This infectious Katy Perry track explodes with passion and emotion. Karla Pope, Good Housekeeping, 27 Nov. 2022 Not only are track pants comfortable but also an unexpected fashion item. Irene Kim, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2022
Verb
The school told him police had used mobile phone data to track his movements to the vicinity of the protests. Rachel Liang, WSJ, 29 Nov. 2022 Political observers everywhere rely on a computer model that simulates an election and lets them track probabilities for months, or for a few hectic hours via a moving needle. Alex Kirshner, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2022 That study used acoustic devices to track the seals’ movements through the seasons from 2012 to 2016. Yereth Rosen, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Nov. 2022 Robinson and track coach Scott Fangman were soon at the crosswalk and followed the ambulance to the hospital. David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Nov. 2022 In Lusail Stadium, which holds more than 80,000 people and where the final match will be held, facial recognition technology will be used to track fans, according to Al Jazeera, which has generated concerns over privacy. Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2022 Weston dominated the Division 3 race and accrued just 59 points for its first state championship, marking a 2022 calendar year sweep of titles across cross-country and track seasons. Ethan Fuller, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Nov. 2022 These digital tokens use blockchain technology, in which computers contribute to a shared ledger that can be used to track digital assets. Brian Cheung, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2022 Agencies need to install mechanisms, like body camera audits and inspections, earlier in the process to better track officer performance and solve problems sooner. N'dea Yancey-bragg, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'track.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English trak, from Middle French trac

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

1565, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of track was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near track

Cite this Entry

“Track.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/track. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Kids Definition

track

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a mark left by something that has gone by
c
: a path along which something is recorded (as on magnetic tape)
2
a
: a course laid out for racing
b
: the parallel rails of a railroad
3
: the course along which something moves or progresses
4
: awareness of things or the order in which things happen or ideas come
lose track of the time
keep track of expenses
5
: either of two continuous metal belts on which a vehicle (as a tank or bulldozer) travels
6
: track-and-field sports
especially : those performed on a running track
trackless adjective

track

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to follow the tracks or traces of : trail
track a deer
b
: to search for until found
tracking down the causes of cancer
2
: to observe the moving path of
track a missile with radar
3
: to make tracks upon or with
track up the floor
track mud all over the floor
tracker noun

More from Merriam-Webster on track

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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