athletics

[ath-let-iks]

See more synonyms for athletics on Thesaurus.com

noun

(usually used with a plural verb) athletic sports, as running, rowing, or boxing.
British. track-and-field events.
(usually used with a singular verb) the practice of athletic exercises; the principles of athletic training.

Origin of athletics

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

Pronunciation note

See athlete.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for athletics

Contemporary Examples

For thousands of kids, particularly poor kids in the South, where football is a way of life, athletics has been a road out.
Football Great Bob Suffridge Wanders Through the End Zone of Life
Paul Hemphill
September 6, 2014
Afterwards, in the afternoon, campers pick between theater, dance, athletics, and crafts.
A Camp Away From Terror: Where Israeli and Palestinian Kids Find Common Ground
Nina Strochlic
August 4, 2014
That is, like all things, a matter of perspective (as well as being a question of whether one is a Giants or an Athletics fan).
New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 1913: How We Celebrated 100 Years Ago
Charles Emmerson
December 31, 2013
I can't help but notice that most of the people who are making this case went to schools where athletics are an afterthought.
Kevin Ware and Market Value of College Athletes
Michael Tomasky
April 2, 2013
Certain forms of talent we easily respect: talent at athletics, talent for entertainment.
I Was Adam Lanza, Part 3
David Frum
December 23, 2012

Historical Examples

Walter hated books and studying, and athletics, too, for that matter.
Alice Adams
Booth Tarkington
It's the thing to be alive in athletics and a dub in everything else.
The Harbor
Ernest Poole
Rowing is now a form of athletics at every college where facilities permit.
College Teaching
Paul Klapper
My son held that brain as well as muscle was needed in athletics.
War Letters of a Public-School Boy
Paul Jones.
He participated in every phase of school life and was devoted to athletics.
War Letters of a Public-School Boy
Paul Jones.

British Dictionary definitions for athletics

athletics

noun (functioning as plural or singular)

1. track and field events
2. (as modifier)an athletics meeting
sports or exercises engaged in by athletes
the theory or practice of athletic activities and training

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for athletics

n.

c.1730, from athletic; also see -ics. Probably formed on model of gymnastics.

athletics

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}athletics

Pronunciation note

Related Words

Examples from the Web for athletics

Contemporary Examples

For thousands of kids, particularly poor kids in the South, where football is a way of life, athletics has been a road out.

Afterwards, in the afternoon, campers pick between theater, dance, athletics, and crafts.

That is, like all things, a matter of perspective (as well as being a question of whether one is a Giants or an Athletics fan).

I can't help but notice that most of the people who are making this case went to schools where athletics are an afterthought.

Certain forms of talent we easily respect: talent at athletics, talent for entertainment.

Historical Examples

Walter hated books and studying, and athletics, too, for that matter.

It's the thing to be alive in athletics and a dub in everything else.

Rowing is now a form of athletics at every college where facilities permit.

My son held that brain as well as muscle was needed in athletics.

He participated in every phase of school life and was devoted to athletics.

athletics

Word Origin and History for athletics

n.

Origin of athletics