A pentathlon is an athletics competition in which each person must compete in five different events.
pentathlon in British English
(pɛnˈtæθlən)
nounWord forms: plural-lons or -la (-lə)
an athletic contest consisting of five different events, based on a competition in the ancient Greek Olympics
Also called: pentathlum. Compare decathlon
Derived forms
pentathlete (penˈtathlete)
noun
Word origin
C18: from Greek pentathlon, from penta- + athlon contest
pentathlon in American English
(pɛnˈtæθˌlɑn; pɛnˈtæθlən)
noun
1.
an athletic contest in which each contestant takes part in five events (long jump, javelin throw, 200-meter dash, discus throw, and 1,500-meter run)
2.
in the Olympic games, a contest consisting of five events (5,000-meter cross-country horseback ride, 4,000-meter cross-country run, 300-meter swim, foil fencing, and pistol shooting)
: in full modern pentathlon
Word origin
Gr pentathlon < penta-, five + athlon, a prize, contest
Examples of 'pentathlon' in a sentence
pentathlon
The women's modern pentathlon is a great day.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
From this swashbuckling storyline modern pentathlon was born 100 years ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
EXPERIENCE is crucial in modern pentathlon, the sport that demands the ability to balance varying physical and mental disciplines over years of training.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Word lists with
pentathlon
athletics
In other languages
pentathlon
British English: pentathlon /pɛnˈtæθlən/ NOUN
A pentathlon is an athletics competition in which each person must compete in five different events.