marathon
MA-ruh-thuhn
Marathon (noun) means a long-distance foot race of just over 26 miles (42.195 km). Example: “Thousands of people lined the streets to cheer on the marathon runners.”
noun
1
A long-distance foot race of just over 26 miles (42.195 km).
"Thousands of people lined the streets to cheer on the marathon runners."
"He finished the marathon in a time he was proud of."
"She trained for months before running her first marathon."
2
Any activity that goes on for an unusually long, exhausting stretch of time.
"Planning the wedding became a marathon of phone calls and meetings."
"Our exam revision turned into a week-long marathon of coffee and flashcards."
"The negotiations turned into a twelve-hour marathon."
verb
1
To watch or consume many episodes or installments of something in one continuous sitting.
"I plan to marathon my favourite sitcom this rainy Sunday."
"They marathoned three seasons of the show without leaving the sofa."
"We marathoned the entire series over the weekend."
How to use marathon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe 26-mile race, or by extension anything drawn-out and grueling.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
run a marathon
marathon session
marathon training
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Word forms
- Plural
- marathons
- Third person singular
- marathons
- Past tense
- marathoned
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Thousands of people lined the streets to cheer on the _____ runners.
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.
Synonyms
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long haul
endurance test
Rhymes for marathon
See all rhymes for marathon →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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