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)

, stee·ple·chased, stee·ple·chas·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈsteepleˌchasing, noun

Other Words From

• stee·ple·chas·er 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

The researchers collected results from major competitions for the marathon, 10,000 meters, 5,000 meters, and 3,000-meter steeplechase, as well as the 50K and 20K racewalks.

From Outside Online

So I want to thank you for the way you celebrated after winning the 10,000-meters at the 2008 Olympic Trials, when you took an impromptu bath in the steeplechase water pit on your victory lap.

From Outside Online

She is also a veteran steeplechase jockey who had to put weights in her jodhpurs to keep her mount on the horse.

From The Daily Beast

The others fell into his wake, and the procession moved across country like a steeplechase.

From Project Gutenberg

After he had won—fairly won—the Yanyilla Steeplechase, should he go to my father and ask for the wife he had won?

From Project Gutenberg

If my Cossacks had not indulged in that steeplechase my journey might have had a tragic ending.

From Project Gutenberg

There are no sensational water-jumps even at steeplechase meetings, the colonial horse not being accustomed to water.

From Project Gutenberg

I gave him a fair start, then laid the hounds on and we had a five-mile point, going like a steeplechase all the way.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• exploration
• hunting
• inquiry
• interrogation
• investigation
• probe
• prosecution
• pursuit
• quest
• race
• raid

More About Steeplechase

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.

Where does steeplechase come from?

The first records of the word steeplechase in reference to the horse race come from the late 1700s. The event is thought to have originated in Ireland. The name steeplechase comes from the fact that these horse races were originally held on countrysides and used churches (which are known for having steeples) to mark the end of the race or as a landmark for riders (who would “chase the steeple”).

The first records of the use of steeplechase to refer to the track-and-field event come from the 1850s. It takes its name from the horse racing event. The modern track-and-field steeplechase event traces its origin to an 1850 race at Oxford University in which cross country runners ran a course that included natural ditches, water traps, and fences. This form of the steeplechase was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1900. The 3,000-meter track became standard in 1920.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to steeplechase?

• steeplechaser (noun)
• steeplechasing (continuous tense verb, noun)

What are some words that share a root or word element with steeplechase? 

• steeple
• chase

What are some words that often get used in discussing steeplechase?

• equestrian
• horse
• track and field
• race
• track
• hurdle
• obstacle
• water
• ditch
• hedge

How is steeplechase used in real life?

The name steeplechase is most commonly associated with the equestrian event. The track-and-field steeplechase is best known as an Olympic event.

Colms Dream & Donagh Meyler on their way to winning the TRI Equestrian Handicap Steeplechase at Leopardstown! pic.twitter.com/Ew6oRoN0h6

— sportsfile (@sportsfile) February 29, 2016

3 American women (@emmajcoburn @steph_steeples @steeple_squigs) will run the #Beijing2015 steeplechase final!

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 24, 2015

Can someone pls explain to me what tf the Steeplechase event at the olympics is about? Are we pretending to be a horses or did I miss something?

— gabby (@gabbyolker) July 15, 2021

Try using steeplechase!

Which of the following is NOT an obstacle in the track-and-field steeplechase?

A. water trap
B. hurdle
C. barrier
D. 10-foot wall