Definition

Noun: * An athletic contest consisting of five different events: A pentathlon is a sports competition in which athletes compete in five distinct events, with the winner being the one with the highest total score across all events.

Usage

The word "pentathlon" is used to describe a specific type of multi-discipline sporting event. It is most commonly associated with the modern pentathlon, a sport featured in the Olympic Games. The events in the modern pentathlon are fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, and cross-country running.

Examples

• She trained for years to qualify for the Olympic pentathlon.
• The pentathlon tests an athlete's versatility in five very different skills.
• Winning a pentathlon requires excellence across multiple disciplines, not just one.

Advanced Usage

• The ancient pentathlon was a competition held at the original Olympic Games in ancient Greece. Its five events were stadion (a short foot race), wrestling, long jump, javelin throw, and discus throw.
• The women's modern pentathlon was added to the Olympic program in 2000.

Variants and Related Words

• Pentathlete (noun): An athlete who competes in a pentathlon.
  • The pentathlete must be proficient in five different sports.
• Biathlon (noun): A winter sport combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.
• Triathlon (noun): An athletic contest consisting of three events, typically swimming, cycling, and running.
• Decathlon (noun): An athletic contest consisting of ten events.

Synonyms

• Multi-event competition
• Combined event(s)

Notes

The core meaning of "pentathlon" is defined by the Greek prefix "penta-" meaning "five" and "-athlon" meaning "contest." It specifically refers to a contest of five events. Do not confuse it with similar words for contests with a different number of events, such as triathlon (three) or decathlon (ten).

Noun

1. an athletic contest consisting of five different events