marathon
noun
mar·a·thon
ˈmer-ə-ˌthän 
ˈma-rə-
often attributive
1
: a footrace run on an open course usually of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers)
broadly
: a long-distance race
2
a
: an endurance contest
b
: something (such as an event, activity, or session) characterized by great length or concentrated effort
Examples of marathon in a Sentence
We watched a marathon of our favorite movies.
Recent Examples on the Web
But the victory, which had clips circulating online, was investigated after it was heavily scrutinized for being rigged, with local media even describing it as damaging to the reputation of Chinese marathons.
—
Chad De Guzman, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Her favorite recovery products were disposable underwear, a comfy glider with an ottoman for those marathon nursing sessions, a heavy-duty charging bank for her phone, and nursing-friendly bras and tops.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 18 Apr. 2024
Spencer began showing up at the marathon in 2013 after the Boston Marathon bombing to encourage runners during a difficult year for the event.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Michael Evers / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images Last August, the test marathon swimming event was canceled because the Seine failed pollution tests.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The Flying Pig Marathon is the best marathon in the country, according to USA TODAY's 10Best Readers’ Choice awards.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Videos promoting walking pads show people enjoying fitness on their own schedules — which might mean during the workday or a reality TV marathon.
—Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
The Flying Pig, which returns to the Queen City next month, was ranked No. 1 among 20 marathons selected by USA TODAY panelists.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
The New York Road Runners, which organizes the race, says that the marathon already generates millions of dollars for the city’s economy, and that the amount MTA proposed would make the race less affordable.
—Jeff Winter, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
Chad De Guzman, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Her favorite recovery products were disposable underwear, a comfy glider with an ottoman for those marathon nursing sessions, a heavy-duty charging bank for her phone, and nursing-friendly bras and tops.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 18 Apr. 2024
Spencer began showing up at the marathon in 2013 after the Boston Marathon bombing to encourage runners during a difficult year for the event.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Michael Evers / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images Last August, the test marathon swimming event was canceled because the Seine failed pollution tests.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The Flying Pig Marathon is the best marathon in the country, according to USA TODAY's 10Best Readers’ Choice awards.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Videos promoting walking pads show people enjoying fitness on their own schedules — which might mean during the workday or a reality TV marathon.
—Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
The Flying Pig, which returns to the Queen City next month, was ranked No. 1 among 20 marathons selected by USA TODAY panelists.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
The New York Road Runners, which organizes the race, says that the marathon already generates millions of dollars for the city’s economy, and that the amount MTA proposed would make the race less affordable.
—Jeff Winter, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'marathon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near marathon
Cite this Entry
“Marathon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marathon. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
marathon
noun
mar·a·thon
ˈmar-ə-ˌthän
1
a
: a long-distance footrace of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers) that is run on an open course
b
: a race other than a footrace (as for swimmers) marked especially by great distance
2
: a long hard contest
a dance marathon
marathon
adjective
Etymology
named for Marathon, site of a battlefield in ancient Greece
Word Origin
Marathon is the name of a plain in Greece located about 26 miles (42 kilometers) from the city of Athens. It was the scene of a great victory by the Greeks over the Persians in 490 b.c. According to legend a Greek soldier named Pheidipiddes ran all the way from the battlefield to Athens to deliver the news. He reached the city, gasped out his message, and fell dead. When the modern Olympic Games began in 1896, one of the events was a footrace of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers), called a marathon, in honor of the legendary run by Pheidipiddes.
Geographical Definition
Marathon
geographical name
Mar·a·thon
ˈmer-ə-ˌthän
ˈma-rə-
1
plain of eastern Greece in Attica northeast of Athens on the Aegean Sea
2
ancient town on the plain of Marathon
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