Definition

Noun: 1. A horse race over an obstructed course: A competitive horse race in which horses and riders must jump over a series of fixed obstacles, such as fences, hedges, and water jumps. 2. A footrace over obstacles: An athletics track event, typically 3000 meters for men and 3000 meters for women, in which runners must clear hurdles and a water jump.

Usage and Examples

• Horse racing context:
  • The Grand National is the world's most famous and challenging steeplechase.
  • He fell at the final fence but still won the steeplechase.
• Athletics (track and field) context:
  • She set a new national record in the 3000-meter steeplechase.
  • The steeplechase requires a unique combination of endurance, hurdling technique, and water-jumping skill.

Advanced Usage

• "to run the steeplechase": To compete in the athletics event.
  • After years as a miler, he decided to run the steeplechase.
• "to ride in a steeplechase": To compete as a jockey in the horse race.
  • It was her dream to ride in a steeplechase at Cheltenham.

Variants and Related Words

• Steeplechaser (noun): An athlete who runs the steeplechase, or a horse/jockey that competes in a steeplechase horse race.
  • The Kenyan steeplechaser dominated the event for a decade.
  • That horse is a proven steeplechaser over long distances.

Synonyms

• Hurdle race (specifically for the athletics event, though standard hurdle races are shorter and do not include a water jump).
• Chase (informal, short for steeplechase in horse racing).
  • He's a specialist in two-mile chases.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A steeplechase of problems": A metaphor for a difficult situation with many successive obstacles to overcome.
  • Getting the project approved was a steeplechase of bureaucratic problems.

Noun

1. a horse race over an obstructed course
2. a footrace of usually 3000 meters over a closed track with hurdles and a water jump