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
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
Deborah LawsonExamples 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
His legal practice primarily focuses on sports injuries, workers’ comp, and disability benefits, according to his law firm — areas close to home for a former athlete.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Carroll athletes also have access to new recovery tools, including a room with compression boots and another stocked with Legendary Foods products — the company donates about $4,000 worth of protein products each week.
—Charles Baggarly
october 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
Sports legends Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are launching a new short film series to spotlight the universal, but underrepresented experiences of female athletes.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
The athlete or coach could impact the game or be privy to insider information, such as whether a player is injured, that would be valuable to bettors.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for athlete
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Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Carroll athletes also have access to new recovery tools, including a room with compression boots and another stocked with Legendary Foods products — the company donates about $4,000 worth of protein products each week.
—Charles Baggarly
october 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
Sports legends Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are launching a new short film series to spotlight the universal, but underrepresented experiences of female athletes.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
The athlete or coach could impact the game or be privy to insider information, such as whether a player is injured, that would be valuable to bettors.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for athlete
Cite this Entry
“Athlete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athlete. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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