-athon

American  

Also -a-thon,

1. a suffix extracted from marathon, occurring as the final element in compounds which have the general sense “an event, as a sale or contest, drawn out to unusual length, often until a prearranged goal, as the contribution of a certain amount of money, is reached”: walkathon; readathon .

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Usage

What does -athon mean? The combining form -athon is used like a suffix meaning "a long event, typically with a particular goal." It is occasionally used to form informal or slang terms.The form -athon is derived from the ending of the word marathon, meaning "a foot race over a course measuring 26.2 miles." The name is an allusion to the ancient Greek legend of Pheidippides, who ran from Marathon to Athens to carry news of the Greek victory over the Persians in 490 BCE.What are variants of -athon?When combined with words or word elements that end with a vowel, the form -athon becomes -thon, as in telethon. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on -thon.

Example Sentences

Bobbie Athon, a spokeswoman for the Kansas State Historical Society, which owns the mission in Fairway, said the agency has not been contacted by federal officials but would be happy to work with the initiative if asked.

From Seattle Times

Other design mocks likely to attract enormous interest include Mr. Gandini’s models, an Alfa Romeo Carabo and the Lamborghini Athon.

From The Wall Street Journal

The text also warns fans not to expect a “gravity defying, city-block destroying CG f–athon.”

From Washington Times

Ille quoque eversus mons est, quem maximum in oris Progenies Phthiæ clara supervehitur; Quum Medi properare novum mare, quumque juventus Per medium classi barbara navit Athon.

From Project Gutenberg

Ag′athon, a Greek tragic poet, a friend of Euripides, and contemporary with Socrates and Alcibiades, born about 445 B.C., died about 402 B.C.

From Project Gutenberg