rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydecathlonTen-event athletic contest
noun

decathlon

dih-KATH-lun/dɪˈkæθlən/

An athletic contest consisting of ten track-and-field events.

The decathlon scorecard covers ten different track-and-field events.

One modern decathlete at a track with an official scorecard showing exactly ten clearly separated small event pictograms in two rows of five: sprint, long jump, shot put, high jump, track lap, hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, distance run.
Etymology
decEnglishten
+athlonGreekcontest, prize

“Ten” and “contest” name a single composite athletic competition with ten challenges, rather than ten unrelated contests. The deeper origin of Greek athlon is uncertain.

In context

visionforvictory4:45
the decathlon competition spans two full days with five different events each day
1984 Olympic Decathlon Interview with Mark Anderson

More examples

  • A strong pole vault improves his decathlon score.
  • Training for the decathlon requires both speed and endurance.
  • The decathlon ends with the fifteen-hundred-meter race.

Forms

decathlon · decathlons

Similar words

triathlon
A race with three disciplines rather than ten track-and-field events.
heptathlon
A heptathlon combines seven events; a decathlon combines ten.