'autodrome' originates from French, specifically the word 'autodrome', where the prefix 'auto-' comes from Greek 'autos' meaning 'self' and 'dromos' meant 'running, racecourse'.

'autodrome' was coined in French in the late 19th century from the Greek combining forms 'autos' + 'dromos' and was later adopted into English with essentially the same form and meaning.

Initially, it meant 'a course or track for motor vehicles,' and over time it has retained that core meaning as 'a racetrack for automobiles.'