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

Example Sentences

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

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

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

From BBC

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

“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