track
I
 /ˈtræk/  noun  ,  pl   tracks
  1 [  count  ] : a mark left on the ground by a moving animal, person, or vehicle
  — usually plural
   moose/tire tracks
   Dinosaur tracks were found in the canyon.
  2 [  count  ] : a path or trail that is made by people or animals walking through a field, forest, etc.
   Follow the track into the forest.
  3 [  count  ]
  3 a : a pair of metal bars that a train, trolley, or subway car rides along
   The train went off the track. = The train jumped the track.
  — usually plural
   We were walking beside the train/railroad tracks.
  3 b US : a set of tracks at a train or subway station
   The train to Chicago will leave track 3.
  4 [  count  ] : an often circular path or road that is used for racing
   She ran a few laps around the track before the race.
   a dog/horse track [=a track where dog/horse races are held]
  — see also racetrack
  5 [  noncount  ] US : track and field
   He ran track in high school.
  — often used before another noun
   a track star
   our track team
   a track event/meet
  see also tracksuit
  6 [  count  ] : a rod or bar that is used to hold something (such as a curtain or sliding door) — see also track lighting
  7 [  count  ] : the course along which someone or something moves or proceeds
   the track of a storm/bullet
   His brother and sister went to college, but he chose a different track. [=he chose to do something different]
  — see also fast track, inside track, tenure-track
  8 [  count  ] US : a course of study followed by students who have particular abilities, needs, and goals
   students on the college track
  — called also (Brit) stream
  9 [  count  ]
  9 a : a song on a record, CD, etc.
   Tracks 6 and 11 are particularly good.
   The title track [=the song with the same title as the album] is a hit.
  — see also soundtrack
  9 b : a separate recording of each instrument or voice in a song
   Increase the volume on the drum/vocal track.
  — see also laugh track, soundtrack
  cover your tracks
   : to hide anything that shows where you have been or what you have done so that no one can find or catch you
    The culprits covered their tracks well and left little evidence at the crime scene.
  in your tracks
   :
   ◇ If you stop or are stopped in your tracks, you stop doing something suddenly or immediately.
    He stopped/froze in his tracks, turned, and came back.
    Her comment stopped me (dead) in my tracks. [=it surprised me very much; it caused me to stop and think]
   
  keep track
   : to be aware of how something is changing, what someone is doing, etc.
    There's so much going on that it's hard to keep track.
    — usually + of
    It's hard to keep track of what's going on.
    Keep track of your little brother for me, will you?
    It's her job to keep track of how the money is spent.
    I watch the news to keep track of current events.
   
  lose track
   : to stop being aware of how something is changing, what someone is doing, etc.
    With so much going on, it's easy to lose track.
    — usually + of
    It's easy to lose track of what's going on.
    I'm sorry I'm late. I lost track of the time.
    We lost track of each other after high school.
   
  make tracks
    informal   : to leave a place quickly
    Here comes your mom–I'd better make tracks.
  off the beaten track — see beaten
  off track
   : away from the main point, thought, etc.
    Let's not get off track.
    He kept the discussion from going too far off track.
  on the right/wrong track
   : following a course that will lead to success/failure
    Although their research is far from complete, the scientists are convinced that they are on the right track.
    She believes that our current foreign policy is on the wrong track.
  on track
   : happening the way that you expect or want things to happen : following a schedule, routine, etc.
    Are we on track with the project?
    The project is on track.
    I had to get my life back on track after the accident.
  the wrong side of the tracks
   : the part of a town, city, etc., where poor people live
    She fell in love with a boy from the wrong side of the tracks.
  track·less /ˈtrækləs/  adj  
   a trackless wilderness/desert/expanse
————————
II
  verb  , tracks, tracked, track·ing
  1 [  + obj  ]
  1 a : to follow and try to find (an animal) by looking for its tracks and other signs that show where it has gone
   He tracked the deer for a mile.
  1 b : to follow and find (someone or something) especially by looking at evidence
   The detectives tracked the killer to Arizona.
  — often + down
   They tracked him down in Arizona.
   Scientists tracked down the cause of the disease to a particular gene.
   If I manage to track down [=find] those photos, I'll let you know.
  2 [  + obj  ]
  2 a : to follow or watch the path of (something)
   The ship can track incoming missiles with radar.
   Meteorologists are tracking the storm.
   an electronic tracking device/system
  2 b : to watch or follow the progress of (someone or something)
   You should start tracking [=keeping track of] your living expenses.
   The study tracked the patients over the course of five years.
  3 [  no obj  ] US : to move in a certain way or in a certain direction
   The boat tracks well.
   The squadron will track north by northeast for 40 miles.
  4 [  + obj  ] US : to make marks by bringing (dirt, mud, etc.) indoors on the bottom of your feet
   Don't you track mud into this clean kitchen!
   The dog tracked dirt all over the floor.
  5 US : to place young students in certain classes according to their abilities and needs
   [  no obj  ] This school does not track.
   [  + obj  ] The school tracks [=(Brit) streams] students into “remedial,” “average,” and “gifted” classes.
  6 [  no obj  ] of a movie camera or video camera : to move in a particular direction especially in a straight line
   At the start of the movie, the camera tracks along the street to the house's front door.
  track·er  noun  ,  pl   -ers [  count  ]
   He is a skilled animal tracker.
   The automatic flight tracker will tell you when her plane will be landing.