shot put

American  

[shot poot] / ˈʃɒt ˈpʊt /

noun

1. a field event in which a heavy ball or shot is thrown or put for distance.

2. a single throw or put of the shot.

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shot put British  

noun

1. an athletic event in which contestants hurl or put a heavy metal ball or shot as far as possible

2. a single put of the shot

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Other Word Forms

• shot-putter noun

Etymology

Origin of shot put

First recorded in 1895–1900; shot ¹ (in the sense “projectile for discharge from a firearm”) + put (in the sense “to throw or cast”)

Example Sentences

Jamaica's Rajindra Campbell won the shot put with a 2026 world best of 21.77m.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

Her attorney, Joshua Block of the American Civil Liberties Union, said she has been winning in the shot put and discus “through hard work and practice.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026

Giving Harel a high-five after his win was Notre Dame senior Aja Johnson, who won the girls’ shot put for the second time in three years with a throw of 45-05¾.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2025

He has also been accused of a health and safety at work offence, relating to supervising the provision of discus and shot put cages in the period between October 2012 and July 2017.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2025

A handful of small iron shot put in the shell will facilitate this operation.

From Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition. by United States. Navy Dept. Bureau of Ordnance