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decathlon definition

decath·lon (di kat̸h′län′, -lən)

noun

an athletic contest in which each contestant takes part in ten events (100-meter dash, 400-meter dash, long jump, 16-pound shot-put, high jump, 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1500-meter run): the winner is the contestant receiving the highest total of points

Etymology: dec(a)- + Gr athlon, a prize

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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