steeplechasing

[ stee-puh l-chey-sing ]

/ ˈsti pəlˌtʃeɪ sɪŋ /

noun

the sport of riding or running in a steeplechase.

Nearby words

steeple, steeple cup, steeplebush, steeplechase, steeplechaser, steeplechasing, steeplejack, steeply, steer, steer clear of, steerage

Origin of steeplechasing

steeplechase + -ing¹

Definition for steeplechasing (2 of 2)

steeplechase

[ stee-puh l-cheys ]

/ ˈsti pəlˌtʃeɪs /

noun

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

a point-to-point race.

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

verb (used without object), stee·ple·chased, stee·ple·chasing.

to ride or run in a steeplechase.

Origin of steeplechase

1795–1805; steeple + chase¹; so called because the course was kept by sighting a church steeple

Related formsstee·ple·chas·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for steeplechasing

Steeplechasing is a Grand-National sport, but it is the sport of the rich, whereas hunting is not.
Mr. Punch in the Hunting Field|Various
Steeplechasing and racing I must touch on, and the little I have to say will not be in its favour.
Sporting Society, Vol. II (of 2)|Various
I think they were steeplechasing, and he had Kester on his back.
Lover or Friend|Rosa Nouchette Carey
The same may be said of drag hunting, which I hold to be no place for a lady, any more than steeplechasing.
The Barb and the Bridle|Vielle Moustache

Purler, a heavy fall from a horse in the hunting or steeplechasing field.
The Slang Dictionary|John Camden Hotten

British Dictionary definitions for steeplechasing

steeplechase

/ (ˈstiːpəlˌtʃeɪs) /

noun

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

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

archaic

a horse race across a stretch of open countryside including obstacles to be jumped
a rare word for point-to-point

verb

(intr) to take part in a steeplechase

Derived Formssteeplechasing, noun

Word Origin for steeplechase

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for steeplechasing

steeplechase

1793 (earlier steeplehunt, 1772), from steeple + chase (n.). Originally a race with a visible church steeple as a goal.