steeplechase
Americannoun
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a horse race over a turf course furnished with artificial ditches, hedges, and other obstacles over which the horses must jump.
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a point-to-point race.
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a footrace run on a cross-country course or over a course having obstacles, such as ditches, hurdles, or the like, which the runners must clear.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a horse race over a course equipped with obstacles to be jumped, esp artificial hedges, ditches, water jumps, etc
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a track race, usually of 3000 metres, in which the runners have to leap hurdles, a water jump, etc
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archaic
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a horse race across a stretch of open countryside including obstacles to be jumped
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a rare word for point-to-point
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verb
Usage
What does steeplechase mean? Steeplechase is a kind of horse race in which horses with riders race through a course that includes obstacles like hedges, hurdles, and water-filled ditches. There is also a non-equestrian event (for humans, not horses) that’s also called the steeplechase. This steeplechase takes its name from the horse race, but it’s a track-and-field event that consists of a race around a track featuring hurdles, barriers, and water pits. This is an event at the Summer Olympic Games, where the race length is 3,000 meters. A competitor in either version of steeplechase can be called a steeplechaser. Example: Whether you’re a horse or a human, you have to be incredibly athletic to compete in the steeplechase.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have steeplechasedperfect
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has steeplechasedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been steeplechasingperfect progressive
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am steeplechasingprogressive 1st person singular
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are steeplechasingprogressive
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steeplechasingparticiple
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is steeplechasingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been steeplechasingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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steeplechasessingular 3rd person
Past
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had steeplechasedperfect
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steeplechasedparticiple
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were steeplechasingprogressive plural
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steeplechasedsimple
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was steeplechasingprogressive singular
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had been steeplechasingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of steeplechase
First recorded in 1790–1800; steeple + chase 1; so called because the course was kept by sighting a church steeple as the goal
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The 78-year-old Englishman guided Portsmouth to 2008 FA Cup glory but Friday's win in a steeplechase, considered only second in prestige to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, will probably share pride of place in his life.
From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025
McColgan took part in the steeplechase at Glasgow 2014 before switching to the flat.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2025
Kiplagat, who was 34 when he died, reached the final of the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
From BBC • Nov. 5, 2024
If Liam ever wants to learn about running, he always can consult with his cousin, James Corrigan, an Eagle Rock grad who finished 31st in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Paris Olympics.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 1, 2024
Dozens of fans bristled over the tops of the steeplechase fences, leaving them teetering under the weight.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
