Words / B2

di-KATHL-on/dɪˈkæθlɒn/

A decathlon is an athletics contest of ten events for one competitor: the decathlon; decathlon points. A heptathlon is seven events (often women); triathlon is three. Give the decathlon points in the results table, then the year. Mix-up: decathlon vs marathon; decimal; do not write decathlon for a single 10,000 m race.

Meaning

An athletics contest of ten events for one competitor.

Examples

• “Give the decathlon points in the results table, then the year, the PE paper said.”
• “A school decathlon featured in the fixture list, which is still ten named events — list them if asked.”

Good to know

the decathlon; decathlon points / champion. Close: heptathlon / triathlon. Trap: marathon / a single long race. PE. Ten events, one competitor — quote points and the year.

Near in meaning

ten-event contest, combined events, multi-event

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