shot put

American  

[shot poot] / ˈʃɒt ˈpʊt /

noun

• shot puts
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• shot-putter
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• shot puts
  plural

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

See Examples For:

shot put

There was the time Justin qualified for track nationals in the softball throw — the kids were too young for shot put.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

She also matched her best of 1.86m in the high jump and threw 13.96m in the shot put.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

The 33-year-old Olympic silver medallist came into the competition after competing just once - at a shot put event in Loughborough in May - since claiming bronze at last year's World Championships in Tokyo.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

By the way, despite medical treatments, B.P.J. recently won a state championship in girls shot put.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

The wayfarer, having no inclination to be shot, put spurs to his horse, and soon reached the château.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. V, October, 1850, Volume I. by