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Decathlon: meaning, definitions and examples

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decathlon

 

[ dɪˈkæθlɒn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

sports event

A decathlon is an athletics contest that consists of ten different track and field events. The events typically include running, jumping, and throwing disciplines, designed to test a range of athletic skills and endurance. It is most commonly held in two days, with five events on each day. Points are awarded for performance in each event, and the athlete with the highest total score at the end of the competition is declared the winner.

Synonyms

athletics competition, track and field event.

Examples of usage

  • He trained rigorously for the decathlon.
  • She won the gold medal in the decathlon at the Olympics.
  • Decathlon athletes need to be versatile.
  • The school's decathlon team practices every week.

Translations

Translations of the word "decathlon" in other languages:

🇵🇹 decatlo

🇮🇳 दशक्रीड़ा

🇩🇪 Zehnkampf

🇮🇩 decathlon

🇺🇦 декафон

🇵🇱 dziesięciobój

🇯🇵 十種競技

🇫🇷 décathlon

🇪🇸 decatlón

🇹🇷 dekathlon

🇰🇷 육상 10종 경기

🇸🇦 العشاري

🇨🇿 desetiboj

🇸🇰 desiatiboj

🇨🇳 十项全能

🇸🇮 deseteroboj

🇮🇸 tíu íþróttir

🇰🇿 ондық жарыс

🇬🇪 ათხუთმეტრიანი

🇦🇿 dəkatlon

🇲🇽 decatlón

Etymology

The word 'decathlon' originates from the Greek words 'deka' meaning ten and 'athlon' meaning contest or competition. It was first officially introduced as an Olympic event in 1912, designed to champion a diverse range of athletic abilities in one competition. The decathlon showcases the exceptional versatility of athletes who compete in ten varied disciplines, demanding both physical and mental stamina. The event's history has evolved over the years, with changes in the specific events included; however, its core structure remains focused on testing an athlete's overall capabilities across multiple sports. As a result, the decathlon has become one of the premier tests of athletic excellence.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,857, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.