marathon

noun

mar·​a·​thon ˈmer-ə-ˌthän How to pronounce marathon (audio)
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 There’s also some nifty marathon merchandise, including pint glasses and T-shirts, to go along with your Star Wars lightsabers and helmets. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2024 Nixon was also celebrated on March 16 in Texas during the annual South by Southwest music conference and music performance marathon. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 Times photographers were stationed all around the marathon’s 26.2-mile course. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 The half marathon and 15K start at 7:30 a.m., 5K at 9:45 a.m., 1K Steps for Stroke at 10 am., 1.5K kids race at 10:30 a.m. and 5K Heart Walk at 11 a.m. Benefits American Heart Association. Details: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, corner Fifth and Lawrence, Downtown. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 And the group marathons hosted by local astronomy clubs in March are friendly to newcomers. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 You are not being punished with anticipation, but this chapter is acting like the preparation for a marathon. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024 Bening walks a fine line between narcissism and determination as marathon swimmer Diana Nyad, with Foster playing her steadfast coach Bonnie Stoll, in this rousing true-life drama. USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 To celebrate its 30th anniversary, TCM on April 14 will present a 24-hour marathon of films with historical introductions from Robert Osborne and throughout the month feature programming with other staffers who started with the channel, it was announced Thursday. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 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.

Word History

Etymology

Marathon, Greece, site of a victory of Greeks over Persians in 490 b.c., the news of which was carried to Athens by a long-distance runner

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of marathon was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near marathon

Cite this Entry

“Marathon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marathon. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

marathon

noun
mar·​a·​thon ˈmar-ə-ˌthän How to pronounce marathon (audio)
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 How to pronounce Marathon (audio)
ˈma-rə-
1
plain of eastern Greece in Attica northeast of Athens on the Aegean Sea
2
ancient town on the plain of Marathon
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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