steeplechase

[stee-puhl-cheys]

noun

1. a horse race over a turf course furnished with artificial ditches, hedges, and other obstacles over which the horses must jump.

2. a point-to-point race.

3. a footrace run on a cross-country course or over a course having obstacles, such as ditches, hurdles, or the like, which the runners must clear.

verb (used without object)

steeplechased, steeplechasing 

1. to ride or run in a steeplechase.

steeplechase

/ ˈstiːpəlˌtʃeɪs /

noun

1. a horse race over a course equipped with obstacles to be jumped, esp artificial hedges, ditches, water jumps, etc

2. a track race, usually of 3000 metres, in which the runners have to leap hurdles, a water jump, etc

3. archaic

   1. a horse race across a stretch of open countryside including obstacles to be jumped

   2. a rare word for point-to-point

verb

1. (intr) to take part in a steeplechase

Other Word Forms

• steeplechasing noun
• steeplechaser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of steeplechase¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; steeple + chase ¹; so called because the course was kept by sighting a church steeple as the goal

Word History and Origins

Origin of steeplechase¹

C19: so called because it originally took place cross-country, with a church tower serving as a landmark to guide the riders

Example Sentences

There was further injury heartbreak for Sarah Tait, who fell at a water jump less than two minutes into her women's 3,000m steeplechase heat.

Read more on BBC

New Zealand's Geordie Beamish falls on the last lap of his 3,000m steeplechase heat but recovers to finish second and qualify for the final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Read more on BBC

Trainer set up on his own five months ago and is looking for first win over jumps in biggest steeplechase of all.

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If Liam ever wants to learn about running, he always can consult with his cousin, James Corrigan, an Eagle Rock grad who finished 31st in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Paris Olympics.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Lizzie Bird dug deep to make sure she finished in the first five of her women's 3,000m steeplechase heat and booked her place in the final, which is also on Tuesday.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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When To Use

What does steeplechase mean?

Steeplechase is a kind of horse race in which horses with riders race through a course that includes obstacles like hedges, hurdles, and water-filled ditches.There is also a non-equestrian event (for humans, not horses) that’s also called the steeplechase. This steeplechase takes its name from the horse race, but it’s a track-and-field event that consists of a race around a track featuring hurdles, barriers, and water pits. This is an event at the Summer Olympic Games, where the race length is 3,000 meters.A competitor in either version of steeplechase can be called a steeplechaser.Example: Whether you’re a horse or a human, you have to be incredibly athletic to compete in the steeplechase.