decathlon

American  

[dih-kath-lon] / dɪˈkæθ lɒn /

noun

• decathlons
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• decathlete
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• decathlons
  plural

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

See Examples For:

decathlon decathlons

But when asked about Rafer Johnson, one of the world’s greatest decathlon competitors who won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games, Benson said, “I guess I don’t know of him.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

Lewis Church and Sammy Ball won silver and bronze respectively for England in the decathlon.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

Jimmy was a national college decathlon champion, Merja a world-class volleyball player and Mark a Golden Gloves boxer in Las Vegas.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2024

He held a news conference last week with Caitlyn Jenner, who won Olympic gold in the men’s decathlon in 1976 and later underwent a gender transition.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 26, 2024

In the regional academic decathlon, a contest pitting teams of students from various local schools against each other, Odessa High had won four straight times.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

It is, says Becca Peter, the event’s athlete co-ordinator, a potential game changer because until now there has been little incentive for women to compete in decathlons or race directors to put them on.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 25, 2018

The U.S. solar industry is booming and other countries—China, Colombia, and United Arab Emirates—are planning similar decathlons.

From National Geographic ● Oct. 9, 2015

As the legend goes, Jenner had no interest in pursuing decathlons after the Olympics.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 4, 2015

To the point, Olympic marathons and decathlons aren’t won by 18-year-olds.

From New York Times ● May 17, 2011

The networks' panoply of glimpsed emotions, analyses, quips and radioactive poop are the team points they are scoring in their decathlons with one another to see who is best.

From Time Magazine Archive