heptathlete

noun

hep·​tath·​lete hep-ˈtath-ˌlēt How to pronounce heptathlete (audio)
: an athlete who competes in a heptathlon

Examples of heptathlete in a Sentence

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.
But his mother, Helena Duplantis, the former Swedish heptathlete, had tips for him, too. Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024 He is coached by his father, Greg, a college pole-vaulting champion from Louisiana, and his mother, Helena, a former international heptathlete from central Sweden. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024 The heptathlete’s motivation to keep performing at a high level? Haley Van Horn, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2024 In 1992: At the Barcelona Games, Jackie Joyner-Kersee became the first heptathlete to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals. Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for heptathlete 

Word History

Etymology

blend of heptathlon and athlete

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heptathlete was in 1981

Dictionary Entries Near heptathlete

Cite this Entry

“Heptathlete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heptathlete. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!