triathlon

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A race in which competitors swim, cycle, and run in that order without stopping.

   Grammar: Countable; use 'a triathlon' or 'triathlons' for more than one.

   Patterns

   • compete in a triathlon
   • do a triathlon
   • finish a triathlon

   She trains six days a week for the triathlon.

   The triathlon starts with a 1.5-kilometer swim.

   He finished his first triathlon in just over two hours.

2. 2nouncountablesport

   A sporting event consisting of three separate contests, such as running, jumping, and throwing.

   Grammar: Countable; often used with 'the' when referring to a specific event.

   Patterns

   • the triathlon event
   • win the triathlon

   The school held a triathlon of swimming, running, and cycling.

   The triathlon at the sports festival includes three different races.

Word forms

Common combinations

Ironman triathlon

The Ironman triathlon is one of the hardest one-day races.

sprint triathlon

A sprint triathlon is shorter and good for beginners.

triathlon training

Triathlon training involves swimming, biking, and running.

compete in a triathlon

Athletes from many countries compete in the triathlon.

finish a triathlon

It took him four hours to finish the triathlon.

Synonyms and how they differ

multisport

A broader term for any event with more than one sport; triathlon is more specific.

duathlon

A race with running and cycling only, not swimming.

Word family

triathlete noun

A person who competes in triathlons.

Commonly confused: triathlon or triathlon? triathlon or decathlon?

Practice

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