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

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

Now in high school, she recently won a state championship in the shot put event and placed fourth in the discus event.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

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

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2025

Twice the Angelic maneuvered out of the path of a torpedo, and then, with a well directed shot, put the submarine out of the battle.

From The Boy Allies with Uncle Sam's Cruisers by Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace)