marathon

noun

mar·​a·​thon ˈmer-ə-ˌthän 

ˈma-rə-

often attributive

1

: a footrace run on an open course usually of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers)

broadly : a long-distance race

2

a

: an endurance contest

b

: something (such as an event, activity, or session) characterized by great length or concentrated effort

Examples of marathon in a Sentence

We watched a marathon of our favorite movies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Videos promoting walking pads show people enjoying fitness on their own schedules — which might mean during the workday or a reality TV marathon. —Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024

The Flying Pig, which returns to the Queen City next month, was ranked No. 1 among 20 marathons selected by USA TODAY panelists. —Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024

The New York Road Runners, which organizes the race, says that the marathon already generates millions of dollars for the city’s economy, and that the amount MTA proposed would make the race less affordable. —Jeff Winter, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024

Combs’ run in the marathon was televised as part of a lavish MTV special, Vibe reported. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024

Shifting gears from a sprint mentality to marathon mode requires founders to think differently about where growth opportunities lie. —John Jarosz, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Egypt reached a deal with the IMF earlier this month to increase a bailout to $8 billion from $3 billion after marathon negotiations. —Noha Elhennawy, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024

There’s also some nifty marathon merchandise, including pint glasses and T-shirts, to go along with your Star Wars lightsabers and helmets. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2024

Nixon was also celebrated on March 16 in Texas during the annual South by Southwest music conference and music performance marathon. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Marathon, Greece, site of a victory of Greeks over Persians in 490 b.c., the news of which was carried to Athens by a long-distance runner

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing marathon

• half-marathon

Kids Definition

marathon

noun

mar·​a·​thon ˈmar-ə-ˌthän 

1

a

: a long-distance footrace of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers) that is run on an open course

b

: a race other than a footrace (as for swimmers) marked especially by great distance

2

: a long hard contest

a dance marathon

marathon adjective

Etymology

named for Marathon, site of a battlefield in ancient Greece

Word Origin

Marathon is the name of a plain in Greece located about 26 miles (42 kilometers) from the city of Athens. It was the scene of a great victory by the Greeks over the Persians in 490 b.c. According to legend a Greek soldier named Pheidipiddes ran all the way from the battlefield to Athens to deliver the news. He reached the city, gasped out his message, and fell dead. When the modern Olympic Games began in 1896, one of the events was a footrace of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers), called a marathon, in honor of the legendary run by Pheidipiddes.

Geographical Definition

Marathon

geographical name

Mar·​a·​thon ˈmer-ə-ˌthän 

ˈma-rə-

1

plain of eastern Greece in Attica northeast of Athens on the Aegean Sea

2

ancient town on the plain of Marathon