triathlon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MidNeutral in sports contexts, Technical in event descriptions
Quick answer
What does “triathlon” mean?
A multisport race consisting of three continuous and sequential endurance disciplines, typically swimming, cycling, and running.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A multisport race consisting of three continuous and sequential endurance disciplines, typically swimming, cycling, and running.
Can refer to any challenging event or situation involving three distinct phases or components, often used metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in spelling or meaning. Pronunciation may vary slightly, with American English often using a broader vowel in the final syllable.
Connotations
Associated with fitness, endurance, and amateur or professional sports in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in UK and US English, given the global nature of the sport.
Grammar
How to Use “triathlon” in a Sentence
participate in a triathlona triathlon consists of three partsenter a triathlonVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “triathlon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not standardly used as a verb.
American English
- Not standardly used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- She bought new triathlon gear for the race.
American English
- He joined a triathlon training group.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in sports marketing, sponsorship deals, and event management.
Academic
Referenced in sports science research on endurance, performance, and physiology.
Everyday
Common in conversations about personal fitness goals, sports events, and recreational activities.
Technical
Specific terminology in sports coaching, event logistics, and athletic training.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “triathlon”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “triathlon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “triathlon”
- Misspelling as 'triathelon' or 'triatlon'; using it as a verb, e.g., 'to triathlon' instead of 'to do a triathlon'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Swimming, cycling, and running, usually in that order.
1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run.
No, it is primarily a noun; the verb form is not standard English. Use phrases like 'compete in a triathlon' instead.
A triathlon involves three endurance sports, while a decathlon consists of ten track and field events.
A multisport race consisting of three continuous and sequential endurance disciplines, typically swimming, cycling, and running.
Triathlon is usually neutral in sports contexts, technical in event descriptions in register.
Triathlon: in British English it is pronounced /traɪˈæθlən/, and in American English it is pronounced /traɪˈæθlɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a triathlon of tasks”
- “life's triathlon”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember 'tri' means three (like in triangle) and 'athlon' from decathlon (meaning contest), so a three-sport contest.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often used metaphorically to describe any series of three challenging or sequential tasks, e.g., 'a triathlon of exams'.
Practice
Quiz
What is a triathlon?