discus

American  

[dis-kuhs] / ˈdɪs kəs /

noun

• discuses,
  plural
• disci
  plural

1. a circular disk more than 7 inches (18 centimeters) in diameter and 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) in weight, usually wooden with a metal rim and thicker in the center than at the edge, for throwing for distance in athletic competition.

2. the sport of throwing this disk for distance.

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discus British  

/ ˈdɪskəs /

noun

1. (originally) a circular stone or plate used in throwing competitions by the ancient Greeks

2. athletics

   1. a similar disc-shaped object with a heavy middle thrown by athletes

   2. ( as modifier )

      a discus thrower

3. the event or sport of throwing the discus

4. a South American cichlid fish, Symphysodon discus, that has a compressed coloured body and is a popular aquarium fish

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Usage

What does discus mean? A discus is the disk used in the track-and-field event known as discus or the discus throw—in which athletes compete to throw it as far as they can. The plural can be discuses or disci (which follows the same pluralization pattern found in other Latin-derived words, like alumnus and its plural, alumni). In competition, men typically use discuses that have a diameter of about 8. 6 inches (22 cm) and weigh about 4. 4 pounds (2 kg), while those used by women have a diameter of about 7 inches (18 cm) and weigh about 2. 2 pounds (1 kg). They are usually made of wood with a metal rim. Discus is one of the “field” events in track and field, which also include other events in which objects are thrown as far as possible, namely shot put and javelin. All three are events in the summer Olympic Games (the Summer Games) and are also events in the modern decathlon. Discus was one of the events in the ancient Greek Olympic Games. Example: Discus is one of my favorite track-and-field events because it was part of the ancient Olympic Games. 

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• disci
  plural
• discuses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of discus

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin, from Greek dískos “a quoit, discus, disk,” derivative of diskeîn “to throw”

Explanation

Discus is the track and field sport in which athletes throw a heavy, circular plate, also known as a discus. Imagine a Frisbee, but much heavier — that's what a discus is like. To throw it, an athlete spins around in a circle to "wind up" before flinging the discus as hard as she can. It must land in a certain area, and the thrower whose discus has traveled farthest wins. Discus means "disc" in Greek, and this sport was included in the original Ancient Greek Olympics.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

discus discuses

Now in high school, she recently won a state championship in the shot put event and placed fourth in the discus event.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

Mills, who competed in shot putt and discus at four Olympic Games, later served as mayor of Auckland.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

West Virginia says last spring “B.P.J. bumped female competitors out of the state tournament, then placed third in the State in discus and eighth in shot put.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 11, 2026

Terry Hopkins, external: Won shot put gold at the 1992 Paralympics and another bronze and a discus silver at the 1988 Games.

From BBC ● Dec. 18, 2025

Like a discus thrower, Golan continued the swing until the cage sailed over her head, then released.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

He took up throwing as a freshman when his cousin brought him some rubber discuses and started to teach him the fundamentals.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2022

Shareese Churchill, a spokeswoman for Hogan, says the shows “a blatant disregard for victims’ rights,” as the nation discuses protecting and empowering victims of sexual assault and harassment.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 12, 2018

Rubbish Medals Javelins, hammers and discuses Members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot were sent to prison in August.

From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2012

Allegations of host-country cheating ran rampant: English officials tampered with the marathon finish; the discuses weren’t regulation weight; the British tug-of-war team gained an advantage with their metal-rimmed boots.

From Slate ● Jul. 26, 2012

Anise-sprinkled loaves alternated with great cheeses heavier than discuses, crateras filled with wine, and cantharuses filled with water, together with baskets of gold filigree-work containing flowers.

From Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert

Related Words

• disc
• plate
• platter