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

He once threw the shot put 51 feet, 7 1/2 inches, which is his claim to fame at North Hollywood High.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

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

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

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

His first shot put out my starboard light, and I keeled over.

From Defenders of Democracy; contributions from representative men and women of letters and other arts from our allies and our own country, edited by the Gift book committee of the Militia of Mercy by Militia of Mercy (U.S.). Gift Book Committee