hurdles
Hurdles (noun) means a track and field event in which runners sprint while jumping over a series of barriers. Example: “She won gold in the 100-metre hurdles.”
How to Use Hurdles
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe race event where athletes run and leap over evenly spaced barriers.
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She won gold in the 100-metre _____.
Synonyms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does “hurdles” mean?
The word “hurdles” means a track and field event in which runners sprint while jumping over a series of barriers. In plain terms, the race event where athletes run and leap over evenly spaced barriers.
How do you use “hurdles” in a sentence?
Here is “hurdles” used in a sentence: “She won gold in the 100-metre hurdles.”
What part of speech is “hurdles”?
“Hurdles” is a noun.
Is “hurdles” a common word?
“Hurdles” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between hurdles and steeplechase as track events?
Hurdles is a sprint event in which runners jump over a series of fixed barriers set at regular intervals over a relatively short distance. Steeplechase is a longer-distance race that includes both barriers and a water jump, making it more of an endurance test than a pure sprint.
How is the word hurdles used outside of athletics?
Beyond the track event, hurdles is commonly used figuratively to mean obstacles or difficulties that must be overcome, such as "legal hurdles" or "financial hurdles." This figurative use draws directly on the image of jumping over a barrier in a race.
Is hurdles always plural even when referring to one race?
Yes, when naming the athletic event it is conventionally referred to as "the hurdles" (e.g., "she won the 100m hurdles"), reflecting the multiple barriers runners must clear during a single race.