noun
- An athletic competition in which each contestant participates in seven different track-and-field events.
Usage: Commonly used in women's track and field; the women's heptathlon typically includes 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin throw, and 800m.; The men's equivalent is the decathlon (ten events).
Examples
- She trained for months to prepare for the heptathlon competition.
- The heptathlon requires athletes to excel in both sprinting and field events.
- Her score in the heptathlon placed her among the top competitors in the nation.
- The Olympic heptathlon is one of the most demanding women's track-and-field events.
- He watched the heptathlon finals with great interest, impressed by the athletes' versatility.