langlauf

American  

[lahng-louf] / ˈlɑŋˌlaʊf /

noun

1. the sport of cross-country skiing.

2. a cross-country ski run or race.

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langlauf British  

/ ˈlɑːŋˌlaʊf, ˈlɑːŋˌlɔɪfə /

noun

1. cross-country skiing

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Other Word Forms

• langläufer noun

Etymology

Origin of langlauf

First recorded in 1925–30; from German: literally, “long run”; long ¹, lope, leap

Explanation

If you like skiing but aren't big on riding up mountains on a lift and skiing short runs downhill, langlauf, or cross-country skiing, might be for you. Langlauf comes from a German word that means "long run," which reflects its nature as a sport of distance and endurance rather than just downhill speed. While the term describes the sport of cross-country skiing generally ("Langlauf is my favorite winter sport"), it can also refer to a specific cross-country outing or race ("I went on my first langlauf this weekend"). Unlike downhill skiing, langlauf doesn't require a mountain — just a pair of skis and a long trail.

Example Sentences

One boy greeted the judges with “Howdy!” and another was derailed by langlauf.

From Time • May 30, 2013

But in the grueling eight-mile langlauf, McGill sprang a surprise: powerful Karre Olsen, late of the Canadian Navy.

From Time Magazine Archive