heptathlon

noun

hep·​tath·​lon hep-ˈtath-lən How to pronounce heptathlon (audio) -ˌlän How to pronounce heptathlon (audio)
nonstandard -ˈta-thə-
Synonyms of heptathlonnext
: a 7-event athletic contest
specifically : a composite contest for female athletes that consists of the 100-meter hurdles, the high jump, the shot put, the 200-meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, and the 800-meter run

Examples of heptathlon in a Sentence

She won a gold medal in the heptathlon.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those six days will not include selection for the decathlon, heptathlon or the 10,000 meters, all of which will be held earlier in the spring — at locations still to be determined — to allow for additional recovery. — Eddie Pells, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 Husband-wife duo Eoin Murphy and Emma McNelis of Dublin were in Alexander Stadium to see O’Connor complete her heptathlon victory. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 Corinne Williams, of Aurora Flyers, placed sixth in the girls 15- to 16-year-old heptathlon 100-meter hurdles, seventh in the girls heptathlon long jump, ninth in the girls heptathlon high jump and 10th in the girls 100- meter hurdles. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 In fact, Candi’s heptathlon performance in 1991 is still considered one of the best scores in FSU history. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for heptathlon

Word History

Etymology

hept- + -athlon (as in decathlon)

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heptathlon was in 1977

Browse Nearby Words

heptathlete
heptathlon
heptatomic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heptathlon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heptathlon. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

heptathlon

noun
hep·​tath·​lon
hep-ˈtath-lən, 
-ˌlän
: an athletic contest made up of seven different track-and-field events

More from Merriam-Webster on heptathlon

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for heptathlon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heptathlon

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