Set a Record: Meaning, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：establish a new best achievement (Set a record)

Set a record 🔊

/sɛt ə ˈrɛkərd/

To achieve the best result ever in an activity, making it the new official record.

Set a record: runner crossing finish line with new best time

establish a new best achievement 🔊

➕

/ɪˈstæblɪʃ ə njuː bɛst əˈtʃiːvmənt/

To achieve the best result ever in an activity, making it the new official record.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Compound phrase: 'set' (to place, establish) + 'record' (from Latin 'recordari', to remember).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a champion placing a golden trophy on a pedestal labeled 'New Record' while a crowd cheers.

📖 Example

In the school's annual swimming meet, she set a record for the fastest lap time. 🔊 In the school's annual swimming meet, she set a record for the fastest lap time.

🔗 Collocations

set a world record – to achieve the best ever result globally in a given activity

set a personal record – to achieve one's own best result

set a new record – to establish a mark that surpasses all previous ones

🔄 Synonyms

break a record (v.) – to surpass the existing best achievement

establish a benchmark (v.) – to create a standard for future comparison

achieve a milestone (v.) – to reach an important point in progress

🚫 Antonyms

fall short (v.) – to fail to meet a desired level or record

underperform (v.) – to perform worse than expected or than previous standards

tie a record (v.) – to equal an existing record without surpassing it

🌱 Derivatives

record-setting (adj.) – that establishes or surpasses a record

record-breaker (n.) – a person or thing that breaks a record

record-holder (n.) – a person who currently holds a record

📖 Cultural Story

The phrase emerged in 19th-century sports, where official benchmarks were first documented. It became a cultural staple in competitions, business, and personal achievements, symbolizing peak performance.