triathlon

American  

[trahy-ath-luhn] / traɪˈæθ lən /

noun

1. an athletic contest comprising three consecutive events, usually swimming, bicycling, and distance running.

2. a women's track-and-field competition comprising the 100-meter dash, high jump, and shot put.

3. British. a competition comprising fly-casting, horseback-riding, and trapshooting events.

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triathlon British  

/ traɪˈæθlɒn /

noun

1. an athletic contest in which each athlete competes in three different events: swimming, cycling, and running

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Usage

What is a triathlon? The word triathlon most commonly refers to an athletic competition in which athletes compete in a race that involves swimming, cycling, and distance running.The traditional triathlon begins with a 1.5-kilometer open-water swim, followed by a 40-kilometer bike race, and finishes with a 10-kilometer run. This triathlon format is an event in the Summer Olympic Games.Triathlons sometimes feature different formats. A longer version often branded as an Ironman triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile (3.9-km) swim, a 112-mile (180.2-km) bike, and marathon-length run of 26.2 miles (42.2 km).In 2021, the Olympics introduced a shorter, relay version of the triathlon featuring teams of two men and two women. Each member of the team must complete a triathlon consisting of a 300-meter swim, an 8-kilometer bike ride, and a 2-kilometer run.The name triathlon is also applied to other three-part athletic competitions that are not a race but are instead score-based (the three events are not held directly one after another as part of a race like they are in the swim-cycle-run version of a triathlon).The track-and-field version of a triathlon consists of the 100-meter dash, high jump, and shot put.In the U.K., the word triathlon sometimes refers to a three-part skill competition involving fly-casting, horseback-riding, and trapshooting.A triathlon is sometimes informally called a tri for short. Athletes who participate in a triathlon can be called triathletes.Example: The triathlon is nearing its third stage now as the triathletes transition from the cycling portion to the run.

Other Word Forms

• triathlete noun

Etymology

Origin of triathlon

First recorded in 1970–75; tri- + (dec)athlon

Example Sentences

His hobbies included triathlons and hiking with his close circle of friends in Eryri National Park or the Lake District.

From BBC

But, in trying to carb-load to perform at the highest level, Britain's four-time world champion across a range of Ironman and triathlon disciplines says she was "actually poisoning" her body in the process.

From BBC

The athletics will be at the LA Memorial Coliseum, while the first medal event will be the women's triathlon and the last will be in swimming.

From BBC

On day one, July 15, the most women's finals ever held on one day will be contested, starting with women's triathlon with a spotlight on the women's 100 meters.

From Barron's

"It's not only golf. We are looking into triathlon. We're looking at running. Our marathons are starting to pick up. We have diving."

From Barron's