decathlon

American  

[dih-kath-lon] / dɪˈkæθ lɒn /

noun

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

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decathlon British  

/ dɪˈkæθlɒn /

noun

1. an athletic contest for men in which each athlete competes in ten different events Compare pentathlon

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Usage

What is a decathlon? A decathlon is an athletic competition in which athletes compete in 10 different track-and-field events. Decathlon events are usually spread out over multiple days (unlike endurance competitions such as triathlons, in which the events happen directly after one another). Which events are in a decathlon?The traditional modern decathlon includes the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400-meter running race on the first day; and a 110-meter hurdles race, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1,500-meter running race the second day. Athletes who compete in decathlons are called decathletes. They are often considered the world’s best all-around athletes due to their versatility and skill in multiple sports. The decathlon at the summer Olympic Games (the Summer Games) is widely considered the highest level of competition, featuring the best decathletes from around the world. Example: Most athletes are specialists—devoting all of their training to a single sport—but competing in a decathlon requires mastery of multiple sports.

Other Word Forms

• decathlete
  noun

Etymology

Origin of decathlon

1910–15; dec- + Greek âthlon prize, contest

Explanation

A track and field event that includes ten separate competitions is called a decathlon. If you want to compete in a decathlon, you need to be very strong as well as a fast runner. The word decathlon comes from two Greek words, déka, or "ten," and áthlon, "prize or contest." Competing in a decathlon typically takes two whole days, during which athletes compete against each other in shot put, pole vault, high jump, javelin, discus, and long jump, as well as four running races. The winner of a decathlon is traditionally given the title of "World's Greatest Athlete."

Example Sentences

In 1969 she married for a second time - to American Bill Toomey, the 1968 Olympic decathlon champion - and moved to the US, where she remained until her death.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Smith says his work with two-time Olympic decathlon gold medallist Thompson is clearly paying off.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2023

Asked to recount the revelry of the day before, he grins like a man who has just completed a decathlon and is pretty psyched about his performance.

From New York Times • Aug. 20, 2023

“I went and sought out counseling and figured out a way to mature in that relationship I had with it,” he said of his 14-year competitive decathlon career that ended in 2017.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 19, 2023

Birdie, whose smile never looked fake, who never wondered if anyone would show up at her academic decathlon, who never woke up in one house and went to sleep in another.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway