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

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

West Virginia says last spring “B.P.J. bumped female competitors out of the state tournament, then placed third in the State in discus and eighth in shot put.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Terry Hopkins, external: Won shot put gold at the 1992 Paralympics and another bronze and a discus silver at the 1988 Games.

From BBC

Scott Lincoln placed eighth in his first World Championship shot put final.

From BBC

In the other field events, American Chase Jackson won the women’s shot put at 68-8 1/2.

From Los Angeles Times