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

Kuzma’s email came out of the blue, several parents told the Tribune, blindsiding them, the athletes and other students as the team prepared for an upcoming bowl game. — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Jax, a tremendous force at 6-0, 260, displays impressive power, strength, and mobility as an agile powerhouse athlete. — James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026

Mitchell Leff / Getty Images In a social media post, the Phillies described Boone as an incredible player, teammate and family man who embodied everything exemplary athletes should represent, both on and off the field. — CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

On the call, Sluis said demand has been driven by recent collaborations with Loewe and Sky High Farms, its first capsule with Burna Boy, athletes on the podium at key races around the world and new store openings in Los Angeles and Miami. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 10 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