modern pentathlon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “modern pentathlon” mean?
A multi-disciplinary Olympic sport comprising five events: fencing, swimming, show jumping, and a combined event of pistol shooting and cross-country running.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A multi-disciplinary Olympic sport comprising five events: fencing, swimming, show jumping, and a combined event of pistol shooting and cross-country running.
Any challenging or diverse combination of five related skills or activities, often used metaphorically to describe a complex test of varied abilities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The sport's governing body terminology is international.
Connotations
Associated with elite, multi-skilled athleticism and Olympic tradition.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, primarily used in sports journalism and Olympic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “modern pentathlon” in a Sentence
[athlete] competes in the modern pentathlon[country] won a medal in modern pentathlonThe modern pentathlon consists of [five events]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “modern pentathlon” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She is a modern-pentathlon hopeful.
- The modern-pentathlon community is tight-knit.
American English
- He has a modern pentathlon background.
- The modern pentathlon trials are next week.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in sports history, kinesiology, and Olympic studies papers.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless discussing the Olympics.
Technical
Precise usage in sports governance, coaching, and event management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “modern pentathlon”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “modern pentathlon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “modern pentathlon”
- Misspelling as 'modern pentathalon'.
- Confusing it with 'biathlon' or 'triathlon'.
- Using it as a common noun without capitalisation when referring to the official sport.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was created for the 1912 Olympics to simulate the skills of a 19th-century cavalry officer, distinguishing it from the ancient Greek pentathlon.
It is the combined final event, replacing the older pistol shoot and run, where athletes must hit a laser pistol target before each running lap.
Yes, the format has evolved, notably replacing air pistol shooting with laser pistols for safety and shortening the event duration for broadcast appeal.
It has a dedicated but niche following. Its Olympic status is periodically reviewed, leading to ongoing reforms to maintain its place in the Games.
A multi-disciplinary Olympic sport comprising five events: fencing, swimming, show jumping, and a combined event of pistol shooting and cross-country running.
Modern pentathlon is usually formal in register.
Modern pentathlon: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒd.ən penˈtæθ.lən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑː.dɚn penˈtæθ.lən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MODERN PENTAthlon = five (PENTA) MODERN tests for the ultimate athlete.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ULTIMATE TEST IS A BATTLE OF FIVE FRONTS.
Practice
Quiz
Which event is NOT part of the modern pentathlon?