decathlon

American  

[dih-kath-lon] / dɪˈkæθ lɒn /

noun

1. an athletic contest comprising ten different track-and-field events and won by the contestant amassing the highest total score.

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decathlon British  

/ dɪˈkæθlɒn /

noun

1. an athletic contest for men in which each athlete competes in ten different events Compare pentathlon

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Usage

What is a decathlon? A decathlon is an athletic competition in which athletes compete in 10 different track-and-field events. Decathlon events are usually spread out over multiple days (unlike endurance competitions such as triathlons, in which the events happen directly after one another). Which events are in a decathlon?The traditional modern decathlon includes the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400-meter running race on the first day; and a 110-meter hurdles race, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1,500-meter running race the second day. Athletes who compete in decathlons are called decathletes. They are often considered the world’s best all-around athletes due to their versatility and skill in multiple sports. The decathlon at the summer Olympic Games (the Summer Games) is widely considered the highest level of competition, featuring the best decathletes from around the world. Example: Most athletes are specialists—devoting all of their training to a single sport—but competing in a decathlon requires mastery of multiple sports.

Other Word Forms

• decathlete noun

Etymology

Origin of decathlon

1910–15; dec- + Greek âthlon prize, contest

Explanation

A track and field event that includes ten separate competitions is called a decathlon. If you want to compete in a decathlon, you need to be very strong as well as a fast runner. The word decathlon comes from two Greek words, déka, or "ten," and áthlon, "prize or contest." Competing in a decathlon typically takes two whole days, during which athletes compete against each other in shot put, pole vault, high jump, javelin, discus, and long jump, as well as four running races. The winner of a decathlon is traditionally given the title of "World's Greatest Athlete."

Example Sentences

"It was his dream," Oleksiy Kasyanov, the general secretary of Ukraine's track and field federation and formerly its national decathlon coach, told the paper.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

He represented his country at the international level, competing in decathlon and pentathlon events.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

He held a news conference last week with Caitlyn Jenner, who won Olympic gold in the men’s decathlon in 1976 and later underwent a gender transition.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 26, 2024

Asked to recount the revelry of the day before, he grins like a man who has just completed a decathlon and is pretty psyched about his performance.

From New York Times • Aug. 20, 2023

In the regional academic decathlon, a contest pitting teams of students from various local schools against each other, Odessa High had won four straight times.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger