Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. Sports A cross-country footrace of 26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 kilometers).
- n. Sports A long-distance race other than a footrace: a swimming marathon.
- n. A contest of endurance: a dance marathon.
- n. An event or activity that requires prolonged effort or endurance.
Wiktionary
- n. A 42.195 kilometre (26 mile 385 yard) road race.
- n. figuratively, by extension Any extended or sustained activity.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. A footrace of 26 miles 385 yards.
- n. Any long and arduous undertaking, straining the endurance of the participants.
- n. a battle in 490 BC in which the Athenians and their allies defeated the Persians.
WordNet 3.0
- n. a battle in 490 BC in which the Athenians and their allies defeated the Persians
- n. a footrace of 26 miles 385 yards
- n. any long and arduous undertaking
Etymologies
- Ancient Greek Μαραθών (Marathōn), a town northeast of Athens. Phidippides the Greek ran the distance from Marathon to Athens to deliver a message regarding the Battle of Marathon. The modern sport of marathon running is based on a run approximately the same distance. (Wiktionary)
- After Marathon (so called because a messenger ran from there to Athens to announce a victory over the Persians in 490 B.C.) (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)
Examples
“Marathon Query I'm curious how the usage of the term marathon and derivatives evolved in your publications ....”
“Marathon Query I'm curious how the usage of the term marathon and derivatives evolved in your ...”
“Fogle's athletic aspirations and weight management aside, his participation in the marathon is all about promoting Subway sandwiches as fuel for fast runners.”
The Washington Post: Is that right? Jared's running a marathon?
“From the fabled story of Phidippides and the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. to Spiridon Louis 'unforeseen 1896 Athens Olympic marathon triumph, the marathon is a part of our history.”
USATODAY.com - Polias knows what it means to be a Greek marathoner
“Several months ago, Mr. Nihous started what he called his "marathon" across France to gather the required signatures.”
“He wrote the 571-page tome in short "marathon" bursts while working as a cancer researcher by day, because, he says, wanted to see the whole picture of the disease he worked with in minute detail.”
“The deal to extricate the Treasury from its American International Group Inc. investment was hammered out in marathon meetings this week.”
The Wall Street Journal: A Seed of an Idea, Negotiations, Then Waiting for Moody's to Call
“Sept. 4: Spike's Band of Brothers marathon is well worth the time”
Critic's Corner: TV Show Reviews and Suggestions from Robert Bianco
“After suffering agonies of embarrassment over a news report the Marine Corp Marathon had rebuffed the RtRSa/oF's offer to join hands and share potties this coming weekend -- the marathon is set for the next morning -- the organizers of Stewart's rally have rebounded in a big way, hiring what may be the largest portable toilet company in the country, United Site Services, to provide relief to Saturday's rally attendees.”
The Washington Post: Jon Stewart's rally porta-potties trickling in now
“The thing with the marathon is that the audience doesn't get to see the whole floor, especially for those watching at home.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘marathon’.
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A-R-A Words
It's an odd-looking pattern in English. Please add words if it makes you happy. :) K-POW! Wow @gulyasrobi!
scarab, Arawak, Sahara, Arab, pharaoh, caravan, carat, parachute, arachnid, Saran Wrap, Sarah, tarantella and 492 more...
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SPOR - Olympic glossary
hurdle, tempo, consortium, caption, mutual understanding, jury, radio, javelin, extra time, boxing, Lander, European and 521 more...
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Tip-Top Toponymic
Place names that have entered general speech. Toponyms that interest me in other ways are on Place Names Of Distinction
hamburger, wiener, finlandisation, vernissage, hackney, venetians, bohemian, anti-macassar, berliner, cravat, calico, serendipity and 113 more...
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JesusIsLord's Words
debauchery, plethora, wiki, numinous, wormwood, scribe, gelded, mithridate, orthogonal, jaculiferous, jaculate, jactitation and 415 more...
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Samme's Words
soliloquy, meander, creativity, magic, discovery, happiness, empowerment, abundance, [magnificent], iridescent, artistic, magical and 694 more...
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ginnylev's Words
neuroplasticity, repudiate, scintilla, ruminate, tautology, ombudsman, exigent, filibuster, grace, ambidextrous, amends, disclosure and 623 more...
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2007bee-r02
2007 Scripps National Spelling Bee Round 2
query, tendency, danceable, parachute, malignant, brutal, humanely, lyrically, deductible, shindig, gravel, embroidered and 274 more...
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Wide Wordie of Sports
soccer, baseball, football, basketball, polo, handball, triathlon, biathlon, heptathlon, decathlon, parkour, boxing and 56 more...
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sara's Words
running, happy, love, scintillating, ridiculous, hope, integrity, respect, hon, aposematic, nurse, marathon
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Olympics
beijing, phelps, beach volleyball, sandboni, redeem team, medley, hardware, gymnastics, uneven, parallel, blocks, baton and 72 more...
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Words from Classical Antiquity
Something that was handed me for a Latin class. Some of them (panic, fauna, hector, tantalize) have unexpected etymologies that make perfect sense.
Adonis, aegis, amazon, ambrosial, atlas, auroral, bacchanalian, bacchic, Cassandra, chimerical, chimeric, echolalia and 43 more...
Tweets
Looking for tweets for marathon.
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