marathon

noun

mar·​a·​thon ˈmer-ə-ˌthän 

ˈma-rə-

often attributive

1

: a footrace run on an open course usually of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers)

broadly : a long-distance race

2

a

: an endurance contest

b

: something (such as an event, activity, or session) characterized by great length or concentrated effort

Examples of marathon in a Sentence

We watched a marathon of our favorite movies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Earlier this year, the marathon runner completed a challenge to raise money for Queensland Children’s Hospital after watching his friend battle leukemia. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

For 45 years, Marathon Weekend has been anchored to the first Sunday in October, but since extreme heat forced the cancellation of the marathon and 10-mile races in 2023, the marathon has been run under elevated Event Alert System readings. — Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026

For example, Sounds Profitable Head Of Communications Molly DeMellier is an experienced marathon runner and love to listen to podcasts while training. — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Carlos Dominguez’s defense attorney challenged police accounts of Dominguez’s marathon interview with detectives that helped shape the murder case against him as trial continued Tuesday in Yolo Superior Court. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Marathon, Greece, site of a victory of Greeks over Persians in 490 b.c., the news of which was carried to Athens by a long-distance runner

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing marathon

• half-marathon

Rhymes for marathon

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

Kids Definition

marathon

noun

mar·​a·​thon ˈmar-ə-ˌthän 

1

a

: a long-distance footrace of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers) that is run on an open course

b

: a race other than a footrace (as for swimmers) marked especially by great distance

2

: a long hard contest

a dance marathon

marathon adjective

Etymology

named for Marathon, site of a battlefield in ancient Greece

Word Origin

Marathon is the name of a plain in Greece located about 26 miles (42 kilometers) from the city of Athens. It was the scene of a great victory by the Greeks over the Persians in 490 b.c. According to legend a Greek soldier named Pheidipiddes ran all the way from the battlefield to Athens to deliver the news. He reached the city, gasped out his message, and fell dead. When the modern Olympic Games began in 1896, one of the events was a footrace of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers), called a marathon, in honor of the legendary run by Pheidipiddes.

Geographical Definition

Marathon

geographical name

Mar·​a·​thon ˈmer-ə-ˌthän 

ˈma-rə-

1

plain of eastern Greece in Attica northeast of Athens on the Aegean Sea

2

ancient town on the plain of Marathon