pentathlon

pen·tath·lon

noun \pen-ˈtath-lən, -ˌlän, ÷-ˈta-thə-\

Definition of PENTATHLON

: an athletic contest involving participation by each contestant in five different events; especially : modern pentathlon

Examples of PENTATHLON

1. the winner of the Olympic pentathlon

Origin of PENTATHLON

Greek, from penta- + athlon contest

First Known Use: 1603

Rhymes with PENTATHLON

biathlon, decathlon, heptathlon, triathlon

pentathlon

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Athletic contest entailing five distinct types of competitions. In the ancient Olympic Games, the pentathlon included a sprint, the long jump, discus throw, javelin throw, and a wrestling match. A modified version (with a medium-distance race substituted for the wrestling match) was included in the revived Olympic Games (1912–24). The modern, or military, pentathlon, included in the Olympics from 1912 and made a team event in 1952, includes an equestrian steeplechase, fencing, pistol shooting, a freestyle swim, and a cross-country run. Women's pentathlon competition (shot put, high jump, hurdling race, sprint, and long jump) was replaced in 1981 by the heptathlon.