marathon

¹

[ mar-uh-thon, -thuhn ]

noun

1. a footrace or wheelchair race over a course measuring 26 miles 385 yards (42 kilometers 195 meters).
2. any long-distance race.
3. any contest, event, or the like, of great, or greater than normal, length or duration or requiring exceptional endurance:

   a dance marathon;

   a sales marathon.

Marathon

²

[ mar-uh-thon ]

noun

1. a plain in SE Greece, in Attica: the Athenians defeated the Persians here 490 b.c.
2. an ancient village that is near this plain.
3. Classical Mythology. a son of Epopeus and the father of Corinthus.

marathon

¹

/ ˈmærəθən /

noun

1. a race on foot of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195 kilometres): an event in the modern Olympics
2. 1. any long or arduous task, assignment, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a marathon effort

Marathon

²

/ ˈmærəθən /

noun

1. a plain in Attica northeast of Athens: site of a victory of the Athenians and Plataeans over the Persians (490 bc )

Word History and Origins

Origin of marathon¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; allusion to Pheidippides' 26-mile (42-kilometer) run from Marathon to Athens to carry news of the Greek victory over the Persians in 490 b.c.

Word History and Origins

Origin of marathon¹

referring to the feat of the messenger who ran more than 20 miles from Marathon to Athens to bring the news of victory in 490 bc

Example Sentences

Marathon after watching a blind woman guided by volunteers complete the race in 2019.

From Los Angeles Times

Marathon swimming and sailing will take place just offshore, as will the opening leg of the triathlon.

From Los Angeles Times

Ruth Chepngetich’s performance at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday shredded record books and reset expectations on what might be possible over 26.2 miles.

From BBC

He had been preparing to run the 2025 Brighton Marathon in aid of the charity Mind.

From BBC

A runner died after the Cardiff Half Marathon, organisers have said.

From BBC