pentathlon

noun

pen·​tath·​lon pen-ˈtath-lən 

-ˌlän,

 nonstandard  -ˈta-thə-

: an athletic contest involving participation by each contestant in five different events

especially : modern pentathlon

Did you know?

The Greek word athlos means "contest or trial", so to be an athlete you had to compete in physical contests. The ancient Greek pentathlon tested warriors' skills in sprinting, long jumping, javelin throwing, discus throwing, and wrestling, none of which are part of today's Olympic pentathlon. But a pentathlete must still have muscles and reflexes suited to almost any kind of physical feat.

Examples of pentathlon in a Sentence

the winner of the Olympic pentathlon

Recent Examples on the Web

Each group tied their legs together and participated in a six-legged pentathlon. —Esther Kang, People.com, 26 June 2025

Ligor took fourth in the pentathlon at the New Balance National Indoor Pentathlon. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 20 Apr. 2025

About 10,000 military athletes from over 100 countries will participate in 25 sports, including traditional games such as archery, boxing and diving, as well as military competitions like aeronautical pentathlon and naval pentathlon. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2025

Athletes compete in traditional sports like archery, boxing and diving, as well as military competitions like aeronautical pentathlon and naval pentathlon. —Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek, from penta- + athlon contest

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pentathlon

• modern pentathlon

Rhymes for pentathlon

• triathlon

Kids Definition

pentathlon

noun

pen·​tath·​lon pen-ˈtath-lən 

-ˌlän

: an athletic contest made up of five different track-and-field events