heptathlon

[ hep-tath-luh n, ‐lon ]

/ hɛpˈtæθ lən, ‐lɒn /

noun

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

Nearby words

heptanone, heptarchy, heptastich, heptasyllable, heptateuch, heptathlon, heptavalent, heptode, heptose, hepworth, hepzibah

Origin of heptathlon

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for heptathlon

heptathlon

/ (hɛpˈtæθlɒn) /

noun

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

Derived Forms

heptathlete, noun

Word Origin for heptathlon

C20: from hepta- + Greek athlon contest

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