noun

decathlon

dee-KATH-lon

Decathlon (noun) means a track and field event made up of ten different disciplines, contested over two days. Example: “He won Olympic gold in the decathlon, combining sprinting, jumping, and throwing events.”

noun

A track and field event made up of ten different disciplines, contested over two days.

"He won Olympic gold in the decathlon, combining sprinting, jumping, and throwing events."

How to use decathlon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA ten-event athletics contest that tests an all-round athlete.

Common pairings

Olympic decathlon win the decathlon

Word forms

decathlons plural, decathla plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He won Olympic gold in the _____, combining sprinting, jumping, and throwing events.

Etymology

Coined from "dec-" ("ten") + "-athlon," modelled on "pentathlon," for the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

· First attested 1912

Class of 1912 decathlon joined the language around 1912.

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Rhymes for decathlon

triathlon

See all rhymes for decathlon →

Frequently asked questions

What does “decathlon” mean?

The word “decathlon” means a track and field event made up of ten different disciplines, contested over two days. In plain terms, a ten-event athletics contest that tests an all-round athlete.

How do you pronounce “decathlon”?

“Decathlon” is pronounced dee-KATH-lon (/diːˈkæθlɒn/ in IPA).

How do you use “decathlon” in a sentence?

Here is “decathlon” used in a sentence: “He won Olympic gold in the decathlon, combining sprinting, jumping, and throwing events.”

What part of speech is “decathlon”?

“Decathlon” is a noun.

Where does the word “decathlon” come from?

The word “decathlon” dates back to around 1912. Coined from "dec-" ("ten") + "-athlon," modelled on "pentathlon," for the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.