javelin

noun

jav·​e·​lin

ˈjav-lən, 

ˈja-və- 

1

: a light spear thrown as a weapon of war or in hunting

2

a

: a slender usually metal shaft at least 260 centimeters long that is thrown for distance in an athletic field event

b

or javelin throw : an athletic field event in which a javelin is thrown for distance

won the gold medal in the javelin

… Serene Ross, who set her second American record in three weeks in the javelin throw in winning at 197 feet.

—Frank Litsky

Synonyms of javelin

• spear
• lance

Examples of javelin in a Sentence

from atop his horse the warrior hurled a javelin that pierced the chest of his hapless foe

Recent Examples on the Web

The first field events of 2026 are a series of high school girls championships, including discus throw, shot put, long jump, high jump and javelin throw. —Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

In addition to the heptathlon, Feyerabend competes for the Aztecs in the open high jump and javelin, where she is ranked third in the Mountain West. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Look no further than shortstop Mookie Betts this week lauding the effects of throwing a javelin. —Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, the gold medal javelin throw was about 5% shy of Jan Železný’s 1996 record. —R. Alexander Bentley, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chafeveleyn, from Middle French javeline, alteration of javelot, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish gabul forked stick

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing javelin

• the javelin

Kids Definition

javelin

noun

jav·​e·​lin ˈjav-(ə-)lən 

1

: a light spear

2

: a slender usually metal shaft that is thrown for distance in a track-and-field event