English · Culture & Society
athletics
/æθˈlet.ɪks/
[/æθˈlet.ɪks/]
track and field sports
Intermediatenoun
Definition
Sports involving running, jumping, and throwing, such as track and field events. In American usage it can mean organized sports more broadly.
Example
She trained hard in athletics, hoping to qualify for the national team in the long jump.
She trained hard in athletics, hoping to qualify for the national team in the long jump.
Etymology
From Greek 'athlētēs' (contestant), from 'athlon' (prize), plus '-ics'.
How & Where It’s Used
Used in sport, especially track and field.