criterium

[ krahy-teer-ee-uhm ]

noun

1. Also crit race []. Cycling. a single-day bicycle race consisting of several laps around a closed road course, with all contestants starting at the same time:

   Competitive events in cycling include road races, time trials, and criteriums.

2. Rare. criterion ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of criterium¹

First recorded in 1965–70 criterium fordef 1; 1890–95, in the sense “motorcycle race”; 1620–30 criterium fordef 2; from Latin, from Greek kritḗrion “a standard”; criterion ( def )

Example Sentences

The 39-year-old rode in his final race last weekend, winning the Tour de France Criterium in Singapore.

From BBC

Britain's Mark Cavendish, the most successful sprinter in cycling history, ended his career with victory in the Tour de France Criterium in Singapore.

From BBC

He finished third in the Tour de France Saitama Criterium in Japan last weekend.

From BBC

Britain's Mark Cavendish, the most successful sprinter in cycling history, will retire after racing in the Tour de France Criterium in Singapore on Sunday.

From BBC

Starting in the Basque Country in northern Spain, the mountainous nature of this year’s course, which features only one time trial, could well give Vingegaard an edge again, as his recent win at the Criterium du Dauphine — a tough stage race serving as a rehearsal for the Tour — suggested.

From Washington Times