Definition

Noun: 1. A documented history of performance or achievement: The complete known history of a person's, organization's, or thing's past results, successes, and failures, used as an indicator of likely future performance. 2. The fastest time ever officially recorded for a specific distance at a particular racetrack: In sports, especially horse or auto racing, the best historical performance time established at a specific venue.

Usage Examples

• General Achievement:
  • The company has a strong track record of innovation and customer satisfaction.
  • When hiring, we look for candidates with a proven track record in project management.
• Sports (Racing):
  • The horse broke the track record for the one-mile race.
  • Her time was good, but it didn't come close to the existing track record.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a track record of (doing) something": To possess a documented history of a specific type of performance.
  • The investor has a track record of identifying successful startups early.
• "To establish/build a track record": To create a history of performance through repeated actions over time.
  • The new fund manager needs a few years to build a track record.

Variants and Related Words

• Record (noun): A piece of evidence or information constituting an account of something that has occurred. Often used more broadly than "track record."
  • His criminal record prevented him from getting the job. (This refers to a formal list of offenses, not a history of general performance.)
• Performance history: A more formal synonym for "track record" in non-sporting contexts.

Synonyms

• History of performance
• Past performance
• Record of achievement
• Credentials (implies qualifications and past successes)

Related Phrases

• Proven record: A track record that has been demonstrated and verified.
  • We only work with suppliers with a proven record of reliability.
• Spotty track record: A history with inconsistent results, mixing successes and failures.
  • The software has a spotty track record when it comes to security updates.

Noun

1. the sum of recognized accomplishments
   • the lawyer has a good record
   • the track record shows that he will be a good president
2. the fastest time ever recorded for a specific distance at a particular racetrack
   • the track record for the mile and a half at Belmont is 2 minutes 24 seconds held by Secretariat since 1973