marathon

¹

[ mar-uh-thon, -thuhn ]

noun

1. a footrace or wheelchair race over a course measuring 26 miles 385 yards (42 kilometers 195 meters).
2. any long-distance race.
3. any contest, event, or the like, of great, or greater than normal, length or duration or requiring exceptional endurance:

   a dance marathon;

   a sales marathon.

Marathon

²

[ mar-uh-thon ]

noun

1. a plain in SE Greece, in Attica: the Athenians defeated the Persians here 490 b.c.
2. an ancient village that is near this plain.
3. Classical Mythology. a son of Epopeus and the father of Corinthus.

marathon

¹

/ ˈmærəθən /

noun

1. a race on foot of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195 kilometres): an event in the modern Olympics
2. 1. any long or arduous task, assignment, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a marathon effort

Marathon

²

/ ˈmærəθən /

noun

1. a plain in Attica northeast of Athens: site of a victory of the Athenians and Plataeans over the Persians (490 bc )

Word History and Origins

Origin of marathon¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; allusion to Pheidippides' 26-mile (42-kilometer) run from Marathon to Athens to carry news of the Greek victory over the Persians in 490 b.c.

Word History and Origins

Origin of marathon¹

referring to the feat of the messenger who ran more than 20 miles from Marathon to Athens to bring the news of victory in 490 bc

Example Sentences

Portlandia marathon—9 am-2:30 pm, IFCBecause what better time than Turkey Day to put on a bird on it?

From The Daily Beast

Rambo movie marathon—11 am-12 am, AMCBecause nothing says the holidays like Sly Stallone and blood.

From The Daily Beast

Thanksgiving with Friends marathon—10 am—TBSA marathon of every Thanksgiving episode of Friends.

From The Daily Beast

Indiana Jones movie marathon—12:30 pm, SpikeAn Indiana Jones movie marathon is never not a good idea.

From The Daily Beast

It would be like making a decision about whether or not to keep exercising at mile 24 of a marathon.

From The Daily Beast

The Greek fire is not extinguished; it burns to-day as bright and pure as ever at Salamis or Marathon.

From Project Gutenberg

The Plain of Marathon was so named from the abundance of Fennel (μαραθρον) growing on it.

From Project Gutenberg

No sculptured marble of a Greek runner was ever more beautiful than Sara as he ran the Marathon.

From Project Gutenberg

After all he's been more than punished, even for the Marathon matter or for that crazy romance about the ducal inheritance.

From Project Gutenberg

So he speedily made his preparations, and drew up his small force on the plain of Marathon, between the mountains and the sea.

From Project Gutenberg