athletic
adjective
ath·let·ic
ath-ˈle-tik 
nonstandard
ˌa-thə-ˈle-
2
3
: used by athletes
athletic shoes/equipment
the school's athletic fields
4
Examples of athletic in a Sentence
They each received an athletic scholarship to the school.
Students can get discount tickets for all athletic events.
His athletic career spanned three decades.
She has great athletic ability.
She's tall and has an athletic build.
Recent Examples on the Web
Campers can focus on studying topics such as aquaculture, leadership, aviation, computer science, music and athletic performance.
—
Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
One sophomore came up to Grove in the cafeteria, grabbed the athletic director’s shoulders, and gloated.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Advantaged by a much higher rate of sellout crowds than the norm on the West Coast, San Diego State’s men’s basketball program nonetheless is facing stiff economic challenges, as does the school’s football program and, above all, the athletic department as a whole.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Western Michigan has hired Kahil Fennell away from Texas-Rio Grande Valley to take over its struggling men's basketball program, athletic director Dan Bartholomae announced Saturday.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for athletic
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Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
One sophomore came up to Grove in the cafeteria, grabbed the athletic director’s shoulders, and gloated.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Advantaged by a much higher rate of sellout crowds than the norm on the West Coast, San Diego State’s men’s basketball program nonetheless is facing stiff economic challenges, as does the school’s football program and, above all, the athletic department as a whole.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Western Michigan has hired Kahil Fennell away from Texas-Rio Grande Valley to take over its struggling men's basketball program, athletic director Dan Bartholomae announced Saturday.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for athletic
Cite this Entry
“Athletic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athletic. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
athletic
adjective
ath·let·ic
ath-ˈlet-ik
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of athletes or athletics
2
3
athleticism
noun
ath-ˈlet-ə-ˌsi-zəm
Medical Definition
athletic
adjective
ath·let·ic
ath-ˈlet-ik
: characterized by heavy frame, large chest, and powerful muscular development : mesomorphic
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