discus

American  

[dis-kuhs] / ˈdɪs kəs /

noun

plural

discuses, disci

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. 

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

Jaslene Massey of Aliso Niguel is among the best all time to compete in the girls’ shot put and discus, and she always likes to perform well at Arcadia.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

Veronica Fraley, a U.S. discus thrower at the Paris Olympics, was having financial trouble back home.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 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

“Look,” she says, zigzagging dressing across her salad, “you are not a discus cage. You are a flesh-and-blood person who this tragic thing has happened to. People will want to help.”

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Related Words

• disc
• plate
• platter