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

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

In a rain-soaked evening session she dipped in the shot put, throwing just 12.85 in difficult conditions.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 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

One shot put the wireless apparatus on the Anglo-Californian out of action.

From New York Times Current History; The European War, Vol 2, No. 5, August, 1915 by Various