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

Nicoll is also a three-time British shot put champion and is targeting an appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 5, 2025

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

Alden was second in the shot put and Winthrop second in the running high jump while neither scored in throwing the hammer nor in the running broad jump.

From Winning His "W" A Story of Freshman Year at College by Tomlinson, Everett Titsworth