broad jump: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowtechnical, historical
Quick answer
What does “broad jump” mean?
A track-and-field event in which an athlete leaps horizontally from a standing start, aiming for the greatest possible distance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A track-and-field event in which an athlete leaps horizontally from a standing start, aiming for the greatest possible distance; also the jump itself.
Any leap or bound taken with feet together from a standing start, sometimes used as a general term for a long horizontal leap.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In modern usage, the term is archaic in both varieties, replaced by "long jump." However, "broad jump" has stronger historical roots in American English, being the official name in the US until the 1960s. It is almost never used in contemporary British English, even historically.
Connotations
Connotes historical or old-fashioned athletics, particularly in a US context (e.g., early 20th-century Olympic events). May sound quaint or deliberately archaic.
Frequency
Extremely low in current usage. Primarily encountered in historical texts, old rulebooks, or discussions of athletic history, more so in American contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “broad jump” in a Sentence
[athlete] + broad-jumps + [distance]to compete in the broad jumpa broad jump of [measurement]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “broad jump” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He broad-jumped over 7 metres in the 1924 games.
- The athlete will attempt to broad-jump for a new record.
American English
- He broad-jumped 24 feet in the old collegiate meet.
- Can you broad-jump farther than you can run?
adjective
British English
- The broad-jump event has been renamed.
- A broad-jump pit was prepared.
American English
- He held the broad-jump world record.
- The broad-jump competition starts at noon.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. A metaphorical use might be: "The new product is a broad jump ahead of the competition," though this is rare.
Academic
Used only in historical or sports history contexts, e.g., "Jesse Owens excelled in the broad jump at the 1936 Olympics."
Everyday
Extremely rare. An older speaker might recall: "We did the broad jump in gym class."
Technical
The precise term in historical track and field rulebooks and results. Also used in some physical fitness tests (e.g., "standing broad jump").
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “broad jump”
- Using "broad jump" instead of the modern "long jump" in contemporary contexts.
- Confusing it with "high jump."
- Misspelling as "board jump."
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The official international name, used by World Athletics and in the Olympics, is 'long jump.' 'Broad jump' is an archaic term.
There is no technical difference in the event itself. 'Broad jump' and 'long jump' refer to the same athletic discipline. 'Long jump' is the modern, standard term.
The word 'broad' refers to the width or breadth of distance covered by the jump, emphasizing the horizontal measure as opposed to the vertical measure of the 'high jump.'
It is not recommended for general use, as it will sound outdated or confusing. Use 'long jump' instead. The only appropriate modern uses are in historical discussions or in specific contexts like the 'standing broad jump' fitness test.
A track-and-field event in which an athlete leaps horizontally from a standing start, aiming for the greatest possible distance.
Broad jump is usually technical, historical in register.
Broad jump: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɔːd ˌdʒʌmp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɔd ˌdʒʌmp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think BROAD = wide. In a BROAD JUMP, you try to cover a broad (wide) distance on the ground, not height.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION (a 'broad jump forward' in technology).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'broad jump' MOST likely to be correctly used today?