steeplechase

[ stee-puhl-cheys ]

noun

1. a horse race over a turf course furnished with artificial ditches, hedges, and other obstacles over which the horses must jump.
2. a point-to-point race.
3. a footrace run on a cross-country course or over a course having obstacles, such as ditches, hurdles, or the like, which the runners must clear.

verb (used without object)

, stee·ple·chased, stee·ple·chas·ing.

1. to ride or run in a steeplechase.

steeplechase

/ ˈstiːpəlˌtʃeɪs /

noun

1. a horse race over a course equipped with obstacles to be jumped, esp artificial hedges, ditches, water jumps, etc
2. a track race, usually of 3000 metres, in which the runners have to leap hurdles, a water jump, etc
3. archaic.
   1. a horse race across a stretch of open countryside including obstacles to be jumped
   2. a rare word for point-to-point

verb

1. intr to take part in a steeplechase

Derived Forms

• ˈsteepleˌchasing, noun

Other Words From

• stee·ple·chas·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of steeplechase¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; steeple + chase ¹; so called because the course was kept by sighting a church steeple as the goal

Word History and Origins

Origin of steeplechase¹

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

Example Sentences

If Liam ever wants to learn about running, he always can consult with his cousin, James Corrigan, an Eagle Rock grad who finished 31st in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Paris Olympics.

From Los Angeles Times

Lizzie Bird dug deep to make sure she finished in the first five of her women's 3,000m steeplechase heat and booked her place in the final, which is also on Tuesday.

From BBC

Anika Schwarze-Chintapatla, a steeplechase runner, studying medicine at Trinity College, Oxford, is looking forward to the new track after training on less forgiving surfaces gave her stress fractures.

From BBC

The presence of Ryun, the fastest miler in history at the time, Mills, the reigning Olympic champion at 10,000 meters, and Young, the U.S. record-holder in the steeplechase, raised Flagstaff’s profile.

From Los Angeles Times

The Kenya-born Jeruto won the 3,000-meter steeplechase title for Kazakhstan at last year’s world championships in Eugene, Ore., but couldn’t defend it at this year’s competition after she was charged with doping in April.

From Washington Times

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More About Steeplechase

What does steeplechase mean?

Steeplechase is a kind of horse race in which horses with riders race through a course that includes obstacles like hedges, hurdles, and water-filled ditches.

There is also a non-equestrian event (for humans, not horses) that’s also called the steeplechase. This steeplechase takes its name from the horse race, but it’s a track-and-field event that consists of a race around a track featuring hurdles, barriers, and water pits. This is an event at the Summer Olympic Games, where the race length is 3,000 meters.

A competitor in either version of steeplechase can be called a steeplechaser.

Example: Whether you’re a horse or a human, you have to be incredibly athletic to compete in the steeplechase.

Where does steeplechase come from?

The first records of the word steeplechase in reference to the horse race come from the late 1700s. The event is thought to have originated in Ireland. The name steeplechase comes from the fact that these horse races were originally held on countrysides and used churches (which are known for having steeples) to mark the end of the race or as a landmark for riders (who would “chase the steeple”).

The first records of the use of steeplechase to refer to the track-and-field event come from the 1850s. It takes its name from the horse racing event. The modern track-and-field steeplechase event traces its origin to an 1850 race at Oxford University in which cross country runners ran a course that included natural ditches, water traps, and fences. This form of the steeplechase was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1900. The 3,000-meter track became standard in 1920.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to steeplechase?

• steeplechaser (noun)
• steeplechasing (continuous tense verb, noun)

What are some words that share a root or word element with steeplechase? 

• steeple
• chase

What are some words that often get used in discussing steeplechase?

• equestrian
• horse
• track and field
• race
• track
• hurdle
• obstacle
• water
• ditch
• hedge

How is steeplechase used in real life?

The name steeplechase is most commonly associated with the equestrian event. The track-and-field steeplechase is best known as an Olympic event.

Colms Dream & Donagh Meyler on their way to winning the TRI Equestrian Handicap Steeplechase at Leopardstown! pic.twitter.com/Ew6oRoN0h6

— sportsfile (@sportsfile) February 29, 2016

3 American women (@emmajcoburn @steph_steeples @steeple_squigs) will run the #Beijing2015 steeplechase final!

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 24, 2015

Can someone pls explain to me what tf the Steeplechase event at the olympics is about? Are we pretending to be a horses or did I miss something?

— gabby (@gabbyolker) July 15, 2021

Try using steeplechase!

Which of the following is NOT an obstacle in the track-and-field steeplechase?

A. water trap
B. hurdle
C. barrier
D. 10-foot wall