athlete

noun

ath·​lete ˈath-ˌlēt 

nonstandard

ˈa-thə-ˌlēt 

1

: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina

professional athletes

2

: an animal (such as a horse or a dog) that competes in races or other sporting events or has qualities (such as stamina and agility) suggestive of a human athlete

Hospice working dogs were wiry, muscular, agile, yellowish-tan or brown athletes with unexaggerated heads …

—Deborah Lawson

Examples of athlete in a Sentence

Athletes from around the world will be competing at the Olympics.

She was quite an athlete as a child.

Recent Examples on the Web

Barrera has noted that the number of transgender athletes is exceedingly small. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

The district also said that Beyer has made additional counseling and support services available to student-athletes and that students and staff undergo annual training intended to prevent harassment. — Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

The athlete worked with the Abercrombie design team on selecting the colors, fabrics and silhouettes that best reflected his personal style, which is classic and simple, yet elevated. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026

Transgender restrictions are proposed in several states Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska and Washington are considering measures restricting transgender athletes or medical procedures. — David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin athleta, from Greek athlētēs, from athlein to contend for a prize, from athlon prize, contest

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing athlete

• athlete's foot

Rhymes for athlete

• amit
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete
• crabmeat

Kids Definition

athlete

noun

ath·​lete ˈath-ˌlēt 

: a person who is trained in or good at games and exercises that require physical skill, endurance, and strength