heptathlon

American  

[hep-tath-luhn, ‑lon] / hɛpˈtæθ lən, ‑lɒn /

noun

1. an athletic contest for women comprising seven different track-and-field events and won by the contestant amassing the highest total score.

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heptathlon British  

/ hɛpˈtæθlɒn /

noun

1. an athletic contest for women in which each athlete competes in seven different events

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Other Word Forms

• heptathlete
  noun

Etymology

Origin of heptathlon

First recorded in 1985–90; hept- ( def. ) + (dec)athlon

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heptathlon

Katerina Johnson-Thompson is chasing her third Commonwealth heptathlon title in a row and Adam Ramsay-Peaty returns to the same pool in which he won two golds in 2014.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

She won multiple gold medals from the Olympics and world championships in the heptathlon and long jump while also setting world records.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2026

It was in the Japanese capital four years ago, in a soulless stadium without spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic, that Johnson-Thompson's Olympic heptathlon hopes were shattered by injury during the 200m.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2025

Katarina Johnson-Thompson continued her heptathlon preparation by competing in the javelin and shot put on day two, having contested the 100m hurdles on Saturday.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2025

Johnson-Thompson, who ended her wait for an Olympic medal with heptathlon silver at Paris 2024, is entered in the 60m hurdles and shot put events at Utilita Arena.

From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2025