noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

marathon

MA-ruh-thuhn

Marathon (noun) means a long-distance foot race of just over 26 miles (42.195 km). Example: “She trained for months before running her first marathon.”

noun

A long-distance foot race of just over 26 miles (42.195 km).

"She trained for months before running her first marathon."

Any activity that goes on for an unusually long, exhausting stretch of time.

"The negotiations turned into a twelve-hour marathon."

verb

To watch or consume many episodes or installments of something in one continuous sitting.

"We marathoned the entire series over the weekend."

How to use marathon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe 26-mile race, or by extension anything drawn-out and grueling.

Common pairings

run a marathon marathon session marathon training

Word forms

marathoned past tense, marathons plural, Marathons plural, marathons singular

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She trained for months before running her first _____.

Etymology

Named after the Battle of Marathon in ancient Greece; legend holds that a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory, and the modern race commemorates that run.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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long haul endurance test

Rhymes for marathon

Jonathon

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Frequently asked questions

What does “marathon” mean?

The word “marathon” means a long-distance foot race of just over 26 miles (42.195 km). In plain terms, the 26-mile race, or by extension anything drawn-out and grueling.

How do you pronounce “marathon”?

“Marathon” is pronounced MA-ruh-thuhn (/ˈmæɹəˌθɑn/ in IPA).

How do you use “marathon” in a sentence?

Here is “marathon” used in a sentence: “She trained for months before running her first marathon.”

What part of speech is “marathon”?

Depending on how it is used, “marathon” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “marathon” come from?

The word “marathon” comes from Greek. Named after the Battle of Marathon in ancient Greece; legend holds that a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory, and the modern race commemorates that run.

Is “marathon” a common word?

“Marathon” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “marathon” have?

“Marathon” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long-distance foot race of just over 26 miles (42.195 km).

What is the difference between a marathon and a sprint?

A marathon is a long-distance foot race of just over 26 miles (42.195 km), demanding endurance over a long period. A sprint is a short, fast run that emphasizes speed rather than stamina.

How long is a marathon?

A marathon is a long-distance foot race of just over 26 miles, or 42.195 kilometers. It is one of the longest standard distances in competitive road racing.

What is the difference between a marathon and a half marathon?

A full marathon covers just over 26 miles (42.195 km), while a half marathon is half that distance, about 13.1 miles (21.1 km). Both are standard road-racing events, but the half is far shorter.

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