steeplechase

noun

stee·​ple·​chase ˈstē-pəl-ˌchās 

1

a

: a horse race across country

b

: a horse race over a closed course with obstacles (such as hedges and walls)

2

: a footrace of usually 3000 meters over hurdles and a water jump

steeplechaser

ˈstē-pəl-ˌchā-sər 

noun

steeplechasing

ˈstē-pəl-ˌchā-siŋ 

noun

Examples of steeplechase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An eight-time state champion (five in track and field, three in cross-country) at Oviedo High School in Florida, Simpson went on to star at Colorado as a two-time national steeplechase champion, a two-time national runner-up in cross-country and a three-time outdoor track and field All-American. —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026

Honorable mention All-American status also went to Centennial High grad Twaddle-Dunham (men’s discus), and Boise State’s Kaiya Robertson (women’s 1,500), Abby Kendrick (women’s steeplechase), Emily Jobes (women’s steeplechase) and Raekwon Weatherspoon (men’s long jump). —Idaho Statesman, 15 June 2026

In his mid-40s, LeVasseur began competing in distance running events and eventually expanded his repertoire to sprints, steeplechase, long jump and triple jump. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026

The soccer team will have the option to play on its existing grass field or under the lights on the new artificial turf surface at the track and field complex, which includes seating for 350 spectators as well as throws areas and a steeplechase to host college or high school competitions. —Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the use of church steeples as landmarks to guide the riders

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for steeplechase

• aerospace
• anatase
• anyplace
• commonplace
• cyberspace
• database
• diabase
• diastase
• dnase
• elastase
• fireplace
• hyperspace

Kids Definition

steeplechase

noun

stee·​ple·​chase ˈstē-pəl-ˌchās 

1

a

: a race over the countryside on horses

b

: a horse race on a special course with obstacles (as hedges and walls)

2

: a footrace of usually 3,000 meters over hurdles and a water jump

steeplechaser

-ˌchā-sər 

noun

Etymology

so called from the fact that originally the races were across the countryside in a direct line toward a distant church steeple sighted rising above the other buildings