athletics

American  

[ath-let-iks] / æθˈlɛt ɪks /

noun

1. (usually used with a plural verb) athletic sports, as running, rowing, or boxing.

2. British. track-and-field events.

3. (usually used with a singular verb) the practice of athletic exercises; the principles of athletic training.

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athletics British  

/ æθˈlɛtɪks /

noun

1. 1. track and field events

   2. ( as modifier )

      an athletics meeting

2. sports or exercises engaged in by athletes

3. the theory or practice of athletic activities and training

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Pronunciation

See athlete.

Etymology

Origin of athletics

First recorded in 1595–1605; see origin at athletic, -ics

Explanation

Use the noun athletics to talk about sports, including team practice, games, and training. A serious baseball player might choose a college based on its athletics program. In Britain, the word athletics specifically refers to track and field competitions, such as long-distance running, high jump, and javelin. In the US, you can use the word to talk about any kind of sporty activity. The noun athletics comes from the adjective athletic, based on the model of gymnastics. The Greek root is athletes, "prizefighter" or "contestant in the games."

Example Sentences

They are four games behind in the AL West, where the first-place Athletics have a .500 record and a minus-21 run differential.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

In light of his countrywoman's suspension, Sawe and Adidas asked the Athletics Integrity Unit to ramp up his anti-doping testing.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

"Nobody thought that a sub-two-hour marathon under World Athletics conditions would be done in their lifetime," London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher told BBC Sport.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Billy Beane, as general manager of the Oakland Athletics, used data analytics to build a competitive team with a payroll one-third the size of the New York Yankees’.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

A few months after Glenn Burke started in center field in the opening game of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded their five-tool talent to the Oakland Athletics, the worst team in baseball.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner