record
A record is the best performance or highest score ever achieved in a specific activity.
Explanation at your level:
A record is the best result. If you run very fast, you have a record. You are the fastest person. Everyone knows your name because you are the best. It is a very special number in sports.
In sports, a record is the highest score or the best time. When someone runs faster than anyone else, they break the record. It is a way to show who is the champion. We keep records to remember great performances.
A record is an official measurement of the best performance in a sport. Athletes train hard to set a new record. When a record is broken, it means a new person has reached a higher level than anyone before them. It is an important part of competitive sports.
The term record denotes the peak achievement in a specific discipline. It serves as a benchmark for excellence. Athletes often dedicate their entire careers to breaking a standing record, which requires immense discipline and skill. It is a testament to human potential.
A record functions as a historical marker of human capability. It is the definitive limit of performance at a given point in time. In professional sports, records are meticulously documented, and breaking one often requires a combination of peak physical conditioning, psychological fortitude, and sometimes favorable external conditions.
Etymologically rooted in the concept of 'recalling to the heart,' a record in modern athletics is a formalized, objective manifestation of excellence. It acts as a cultural touchstone that defines the boundaries of what is physically possible. The pursuit of records drives technological innovation in equipment and training methodologies, effectively pushing the evolution of the sport itself.
Mot en 30 secondes
- A record is the best performance ever.
- It is used in sports and history.
- Commonly used with 'set' or 'break'.
- Noun stress is on the first syllable.
When we talk about a record in sports, we are talking about history being made. It is the gold standard of performance. Whether it is the fastest sprint or the most goals scored in a season, a record tells us exactly what the limit of human ability looks like right now.
Think of a record as a benchmark. It is not just a number; it is a challenge. When an athlete breaks a record, they are essentially saying, 'I have gone further than anyone else in history.' It is a fascinating part of human culture because it drives us to improve and push past our previous boundaries.
The word record comes from the Old French word recorder, which meant 'to bring to mind' or 'to repeat.' It traces back even further to the Latin recordari, which is a combination of re- (again) and cor (heart). Literally, it meant 'to bring back to the heart' or 'to remember.'
Over centuries, the meaning shifted from simply 'remembering' to 'writing down facts.' By the 19th century, it began to be used in sports to describe the best performance ever documented. It is a beautiful evolution: from a memory held in the heart to a statistic etched into the history books.
In casual conversation, you will often hear people say they are going to 'break a record' or 'set a record.' These are the most common collocations. You might also hear someone say a record is 'shattered,' which implies it was beaten by a very large margin.
In formal settings, like sports journalism or official statistics, you might see phrases like 'an all-time record' or 'a standing record.' Remember that 'record' is a countable noun, so you can have one record or many records. It is a versatile word that fits perfectly in both a casual chat at the gym and a serious news report.
Off the record: Something said that is not for publication. Example: He told me off the record that he was retiring.
Break the record: To surpass the current best. Example: She hopes to break the record today.
For the record: Stating something clearly for everyone to hear. Example: For the record, I disagree with this plan.
Set the record straight: To correct a misunderstanding. Example: I need to set the record straight about what happened.
On the record: Something stated publicly. Example: The coach went on the record to praise the team.
When used as a noun, the stress is on the first syllable: REC-ord. If you use it as a verb, the stress shifts to the second: re-CORD. This is a classic English stress-shift pattern.
The plural is simply 'records.' It is a countable noun, so you can use it with 'a,' 'the,' or numbers. It is often paired with verbs like 'break,' 'set,' 'hold,' or 'smash.' Always listen for that first-syllable emphasis when you are talking about the noun form!
Fun Fact
The word originally had nothing to do with sports!
Pronunciation Guide
Stress on the first syllable, clear 'o' sound.
Stress on the first syllable, rhotic 'r'.
Common Errors
- Stress on the second syllable
- Mispronouncing the 'o'
- Dropping the 'd'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Standard usage
Common word
Clear sound
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Noun/Verb Stress Shift
REC-ord vs re-CORD
Countable Nouns
a record / records
Collocations
set/break a record
Examples by Level
He has a new record.
He / has / a / new / record
Use 'a' with singular countable nouns.
She is the record holder.
She / is / the / record / holder
Compound noun.
It is a world record.
It / is / a / world / record
Noun adjunct.
He broke the record.
He / broke / the / record
Past tense of break.
This is my best record.
This / is / my / best / record
Superlative adjective.
Can he set a record?
Can / he / set / a / record
Modal verb can.
The record is very high.
The / record / is / very / high
Adjective usage.
Look at the record.
Look / at / the / record
Imperative sentence.
They tried to break the record.
The team set a new record.
She holds the world record.
He smashed the old record.
It is an amazing record.
They kept a record of the scores.
The record was broken today.
He is proud of his record.
The athlete set an incredible new record.
She has held the record for five years.
The record was finally shattered yesterday.
He is aiming to break the national record.
It is difficult to beat such a record.
The crowd cheered for the new record.
He has a perfect record in this event.
They updated the record books today.
She managed to eclipse the long-standing record.
The record stands as a testament to his hard work.
He is currently the record holder for the marathon.
The committee verified the new record.
It is a record that may never be broken.
He surpassed the previous record by two seconds.
The record is officially recognized by the federation.
They are chasing the world record in this category.
The feat established a new benchmark, effectively setting a record for the sport.
He has consistently performed at a level that threatens the existing record.
The record serves as the definitive standard for all aspiring athletes.
Critics argue that the record was achieved under questionable circumstances.
His performance was a record-breaking display of sheer athleticism.
The record remains an elusive goal for many top-tier competitors.
She has cemented her legacy by claiming the world record.
The record is subject to rigorous verification procedures.
The record represents the zenith of human achievement in this specific discipline.
His tenure as the record holder has redefined the parameters of the sport.
The record stands as an immutable testament to his unparalleled dedication.
Such a record is rarely surpassed without significant technological intervention.
The history of the sport is punctuated by these record-breaking milestones.
She has etched her name into the annals of history with this record.
The record is an objective metric of excellence in a subjective field.
The pursuit of the record is a philosophical quest for human perfection.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"off the record"
not for public use
Keep this off the record.
casual"for the record"
stating something clearly
For the record, I was there.
neutral"set the record straight"
correcting a mistake
I need to set the record straight.
neutral"on the record"
publicly stated
He is on the record about it.
formal"break the record"
surpass the best
She will break the record.
neutral"a track record"
past history of performance
He has a good track record.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar root
Recording is audio/video
I made a recording of the song.
Both are documents
Report is a written account
I read the report.
Both involve data
Register is a list of names
Sign the register.
Both in sports
Score is the points in one game
The score is 2-1.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + set + a + record
He set a record.
Subject + broke + the + record
She broke the record.
Subject + holds + the + record
He holds the record.
Subject + smashed + the + record
They smashed the record.
Subject + established + a + new + record
She established a new record.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
Noun stress is on the first syllable.
Set is the standard collocation.
It is a countable noun.
Recording refers to audio/video.
Needs context for clarity.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a wall with a trophy for every record.
Native Usage
Use 'break' for records often.
Cultural Insight
Guinness World Records is famous.
Grammar Shortcut
Noun=REC, Verb=CORD.
Say It Right
Focus on the first syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'make a record'.
Did You Know?
The word comes from 'heart'.
Study Smart
Read sports news to see it in action.
Collocations
Always pair with 'set' or 'break'.
Countability
It is always countable.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember 'Record' as 'Re' (again) + 'Cord' (heart) - you keep the memory in your heart.
Visual Association
A gold medal on a wall.
Word Web
Défi
Tell a friend about a record you know.
Origine du mot
Latin
Original meaning: to bring back to heart
Contexte culturel
None
Records are a huge part of American and British sports culture.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Sports
- break the record
- set a record
- world record
School
- academic record
- keep a record
- school records
Business
- track record
- financial record
- on the record
Music
- vinyl record
- record a song
- hit record
Conversation Starters
"Do you know any world records?"
"Have you ever set a record?"
"Why are records important?"
"What is your personal best?"
"Who holds the record for the fastest run?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you broke a record.
Why do people want to set records?
If you could hold a world record, what would it be?
Describe the feeling of winning.
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsIt can be both, but the pronunciation changes.
The person who currently has the best result.
Yes, it means a file of information.
It means don't tell anyone else.
REC-ord.
Yes, records.
No, it can be any activity.
The best result in the whole world.
Teste-toi
He broke the ___.
He broke the record is a standard phrase.
What does it mean to set a record?
Setting a record means achieving the best result.
A record is always a negative thing.
Records are usually positive achievements.
Word
Signification
These are common verb-noun collocations.
Subject + Verb + Object.
She is the current world ___ holder.
Record holder is the correct compound noun.
Which idiom means to correct a misunderstanding?
Set the record straight is the correct idiom.
The noun 'record' is stressed on the second syllable.
The noun is stressed on the first syllable.
Word
Signification
Vocabulary matching.
Subject + Verb + Object.
Score : /10
Summary
A record is the ultimate benchmark of human achievement in any field.
- A record is the best performance ever.
- It is used in sports and history.
- Commonly used with 'set' or 'break'.
- Noun stress is on the first syllable.
Memory Palace
Imagine a wall with a trophy for every record.
Native Usage
Use 'break' for records often.
Cultural Insight
Guinness World Records is famous.
Grammar Shortcut
Noun=REC, Verb=CORD.
Exemple
He broke the school record for the 100-meter dash.
Related Content
Voir dans les vidéos
Apprendre en contexte
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur Sports
throw
A1To send something through the air with force using your arm and hand. It is a fundamental action in many sports where players move a ball or object to a target or another person.
track
A1A track is a special path or circuit, usually in an oval shape, used for sports like running, cycling, or horse racing. It provides a flat, controlled surface for athletes to compete and practice.
bat
A1Une batte est un objet long en bois ou en métal utilisé dans des sports comme le baseball pour frapper la balle.
club
A1Un club désigne soit un groupe de personnes partageant les mêmes passions, soit, au golf, l'outil utilisé pour frapper la balle.
referee
A1La personne qui s'assure que les joueurs respectent les règles pendant un match.
defender
A1C'est le joueur qui protège son but. Il peut aussi être quelqu'un qui défend une personne ou une idée.
locker room
A1C'est une pièce dans les gymnases ou les stades où l'on se change et garde ses affaires.
umpire
A1La personne qui observe un match sportif et s'assure que les règles sont suivies.
fan
A1A fan is a person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular sports team, athlete, or celebrity. Fans often show their support by watching games, wearing team colors, and attending events.
pool
A1A pool is a large, man-made hole filled with water for people to swim in. It is common in sports centers, schools, and private homes for exercise and fun.
