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.

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heptathlon British  

/ hɛpˈtæθlɒn /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• heptathlete
  noun

Etymology

Origin of heptathlon

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

Example Sentences

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 • Sep. 19, 2025

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 • Sep. 18, 2025

"Great Britain will obviously come away disappointed. We perhaps hoped they might have been a little bit more in the mix than they were," four-time global heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill said on BBC One.

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2025

Among those granted honours were TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh, who was appointed CBE, and reigning world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who became an MBE.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2025

It was Dickenson's voice that accompanied Jessica Ennis-Hill's heptathlon gold at London 2012, while his last BBC commentary was when Lizzy Yarnold won her skeleton gold at Sochi 2014.

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2024