hackathon

noun

hack·​a·​thon ˈha-kə-ˌthän 

plural hackathons

: an event in which computer programmers collaborate intensively with one another and sometimes with people in other specialties over a relatively short period of time to create code usually for a new software product or service

The goal of a hackathon is to create a prototype of an idea in record time—often over a single weekend. For the ambitious software developer, that usually means no rest or leafy greens.

—Kristen V. Brown

It's a hackathon—a contest to pitch, program, and present a functioning Android mobile application in 48 hours.

—Steven Leckart

Examples of hackathon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The initiative will combine that computing access with courses, certifications, workshops, hackathons and other programs intended to train people in quantum technologies. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026

The event features pitches from Build with Gemini XPRIZE finalists, a $2 million hackathon and the Future Vision XPRIZE awards ceremony. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Schools have often confined meaningful creation to entrepreneurship clubs, hackathons, and extracurricular programs. — Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Microsoft has also hosted developer hackathons near Seattle, San Francisco, and other hubs. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

hack entry 1 + -athon

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hackathon

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon
• epsilon