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heptathlon

American  
[hep-tath-luhn, ‑lon] / hɛpˈtæθ lən, ‑lɒn /

noun

  1. an athletic contest for women comprising seven different track-and-field events and won by the contestant amassing the highest total score.


heptathlon British  
/ hɛpˈtæθlɒn /

noun

  1. an athletic contest for women in which each athlete competes in seven different events

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • heptathlete noun

Etymology

Origin of heptathlon

First recorded in 1985–90; hept- ( def. ) + (dec)athlon

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson shared bronze in a dramatic heptathlon finale on Saturday.

From BBC

Great Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson captured an emotional fourth global heptathlon medal in unprecedented circumstances as she shared world bronze with American Taliyah Brooks in a dramatic concluding 800m in Tokyo.

From BBC

Defending champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson said she feels "excited" to resume her bid for a third world heptathlon title after putting herself into medal contention in Tokyo.

From BBC

It was in the Japanese capital four years ago, in a soulless stadium without spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic, that Johnson-Thompson's Olympic heptathlon hopes were shattered by injury during the 200m.

From BBC

Speaking on BBC One, four-time global heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill said: "Kishane Thompson looked phenomenal. The strength and power he had coming out of the starting blocks, his transition phase, he even slowed down massively towards the finish line. I think he's definitely one to really watch."

From BBC