discus

[dis-kuhs]

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.

discus

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of discus¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of discus¹

C17: from Latin, from Greek diskos from dikein to throw

Related Words

• disc 
• plate 
• platter 

When To Use

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.