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heptathlon

Definition of heptathlon

noun

  • an athletic event, in particular one for women, in which each competitor takes part in the same prescribed seven events (100 metres hurdles, high jump, shot-put, 200 metres, long jump, javelin, and 800 metres).

Derivatives

heptathlete

Pronunciation: /-liːt/
noun

Origin:

1970s: from hepta- 'seven' + Greek athlon 'contest', on the pattern of words such as decathlon

heptathlon in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of heptathlon in the US English dictionary
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