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

See Examples For:

athletics

It should recognize that certain coordinated rules are essential to producing college athletics as a product.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

One athletics fan urged organisers on social media to "fill the place" with "cheap door tickets".

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Knox, and the administration of the school, are treating this reunion as the initial seed for the rehabilitation of the athletics program and hopefully the entire school.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 9, 2026

Following significant increases in the participation rates of female athletes in high school and college, women athletes have been at the heart of major success for American athletics.

From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2026

The fact that an enterprise makes progress does not necessarily mean I should adopt it: athletes run faster every year, but that is no reason why I should take up athletics.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton